Differences: Masco ME-8 v MA-808
Tue, 06/28/2016 - 10:02
Hi Skip
Can you explain anything about the differences or history of these two amps?
From what I can tell they look similar in layout. At least on the outside....
I haven't seen many MA-808s expect a few pictures. but other than the naming it looks like the 808 has a different logo which suggests to me it might have come along later in the lineup.
Does the ME vs MA prefix mean anything significant?
thanks for any info.
Andrew
Hello Andrew- Sorry for the slow reply! I must say that your question is pretty "inside" for this forum but here goes....
Although they use very similar circuits, the big difference is that the ME-8 uses an unusual fixed-bias output stage while the MA- 808 uses a more common cathode-bias output stage. Masco also used either loctal or octal preamp tubes, but the actual function of the tubes stayed the same- a single triode followed a pentode.
The MA series predate the ME series although although early-fifties catalogs show that both styles were available for a time.