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Post by egcycle on Jan 12, 2021 8:08:11 GMT -7
I picked up a used 2012 Maz18 NR Head from GC and out of the box .. loved it. I opened it uo it was loaded with JJs beginning to end. Then I thought - let me retune this with the recommended tubes (even better, right?). I left the JJs in V1 and V2, put a sovtek LPS in V3. I also put a new set of 6n's - replacing the JJ el84s. The verdict? The original tubes are back in.
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Post by DRZ on Jan 12, 2021 11:15:13 GMT -7
I picked up a used 2012 Maz18 NR Head from GC and out of the box .. loved it. I opened it uo it was loaded with JJs beginning to end. Then I thought - let me retune this with the recommended tubes (even better, right?). I left the JJs in V1 and V2, put a sovtek LPS in V3. I also put a new set of 6n's - replacing the JJ el84s. The verdict? The original tubes are back in. If anyone is interested in 6N's let me know. They were purchased new (matched) from KCM. Let me add a little note to this post. I recommend the base 6n14n tubes the lowest grade of this family of tubes for there excellent warm tone. They can be recognized but what we call the "saucer shaped getter " not the halo shaped getter. The 6n14n's with prefixes like EV, EB , K , and V are low microphonic, Extra rugged, Extended life and so on. I do not care for the sound of these variations of the 6n14n's and do not use them. And yes a good pair of JJ's have the Clang and Mid punch may players enjoy. I seem to like the base 6n14n's for there richer, rattle free operation. Z
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Post by brendanp on Jan 13, 2021 2:12:56 GMT -7
I picked up a used 2012 Maz18 NR Head from GC and out of the box .. loved it. I opened it uo it was loaded with JJs beginning to end. Then I thought - let me retune this with the recommended tubes (even better, right?). I left the JJs in V1 and V2, put a sovtek LPS in V3. I also put a new set of 6n's - replacing the JJ el84s. The verdict? The original tubes are back in. If anyone is interested in 6N's let me know. They were purchased new (matched) from KCM. Let me add a little note to this post. I recommend the base 6n14n tubes the lowest grade of this family of tubes for there excellent warm tone. They can be recognized but what we call the "saucer shaped getter " not the halo shaped getter. The 6n14n's with prefixes like EV, EB , K , and V are low microphonic, Extra rugged, Extended life and so on. I do not care for the sound of these variations of the 6n14n's and do not use them. And yes a good pair of JJ's have the Clang and Mid punch may players enjoy. I seem to like the base 6n14n's for there richer, rattle free operation. Z I have always used JJs in my Maz combo. I bought some NOS Mullard preamp tubes a while back and tried them, but in my experience with these particular tubes the JJs just had that little extra heat I love. I think that's the "clang and mid punch". Slightly more aggressive. Then again, it may be just the Mullards I have - I've seen shootout videos where the differences between tubes from the same manufacturer are as significant as the variances between brands. In any case, I haven't had a chance to try out 6n14n tubes yet...
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Post by runninwiththerevil (Matthew) on Jan 13, 2021 5:23:28 GMT -7
I’ve definitely found that Z’s are very responsive to tubes. I think my Maz had Mullards when it came to me and sounded great. When I had it in for the Mkii update I had the Dr put the 6n14n’s in that they are putting in new. I think those sound great as well.
With the Maz in particular, I’ve had fun messing with v1 and V2. I have it dialed great right now.
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Post by Seńor Verde on Jan 13, 2021 19:34:10 GMT -7
I tried a couple different things with my Maz Jr's and the only tube that isn't Doc's suggestion is the JJ rectifier instead of Sovtek.
I do think the 6N14N sounds a little better, but one of mine crapped out after a few weeks and I replaced them with JJ EL84. JJ's are inexpensive, easy to find and I haven't had an issue with JJ EL84's in any of the 5 Maz amps I've owned since 2004. I replace them every 6-12 months, depending how often I use the amps.
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