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Anybody tube rolled 845's?

I have a pair of Cary CAD-211AE monoblocks, so I need four 845 tubes. I already have tubes supplied by Cary but these are made in China. I am curious to try different tubes but given the cost of 845's and the fact I need four of them this could prove to be a very expensive exercise!

I am curious to try to KR Audio and the Cetron ones. Both of these are quite a bit cheaper than the RCA 845 (which I understand is the best).

Anyone like to share their experience? Also please state what amp you have and what effect the change had on your system.
amfibius

Showing 3 responses by krisjan

krisjan
100 posts
 
Hi,
My 211's are 15 months old and I just retubed and replaced the stock Cary tubes. For the 845's, I went with the Shuguang 845B's and I agree with Kehut that they are a nice upgrade over the stock Cary Chinese 845's. These are a very very good everyday tube. I also replaced the 300B's with some EH's, the 6sl7's from Tung-sol and the EL34's from Sino. The amps seem to extend a bit more in both directions and have a lovely midrange with this tube compliment. I am quite happy with the results
Mark
krisjan
100 posts
 
I should add that biasing with the Shuguang 845B's is rock steady. I don't get the slow drift I had with the stock 845's.
Mark
krisjan
100 posts
 
I've only compared the 845B's to the original Cary tubes in the 211's. My system gets almost daily use. That means I will probably need to replace tubes every 15 months or so. For me, its a matter of cost/value relationship - for the price, the 845B's are great tubes. Would some NOS RCA's be better? Maybe, but for the price difference, I will be happy with the 845B's.
Mark
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