Aric Audio Super 2A3 owners - favorite tubes?

I don't have your amp but have used a lot of similar tubes.  I am a big fan of EML and the mesh plates.  You might try the 300B 2.5V Mesh--a 300b tube with 2.5 V heaters.  I had a pair that were my favorite tubes in a previous amp. Check the specs and make sure it is compatible with your amp.

I also have the EML 5U4G Mesh and it is my favorite rectifier right now.

Jerry

@carlsbad2 Thanks. My amp is 2A3 only, so 300B is not going to work in it.

I'll check out the EML 5U4G though!

@tvad I'll keep an eye out for those!

@mmcgill829 don't be so sure.  the 300B 2.5V is designed to be used in 2A3 amps.  the ones I had were in my 2A3 amp.  They won't work in a 300b amp.

@carlsbad2 oh interesting. I'll take a look at those. I didn't even realize that was a thing!

@tvad AFAIK 5U4G and 5U4 are one in the same. The G just refers to it being glass and the NOS G's tend to be the 'coke bottle' shape, with the GB being the straight bottles. Forgive me if I'm incorrect though. I currently have NOS RCA 5U4G (coke bottle) rectifiers in, which replaced the 5U4GBs that were in there stock (don't remember what they were off the top of my head though - nothing fancy).

@mmcgill829 I think that is why they don't sell a lot of them.  the name makes people not realize what amp they are designed for

@carlsbad2 that and the fact that they are near $900/each, which is probably an even bigger deterrent. Lot of money to spend for a test! 😅 I assume they'd likely be pretty difficult to re-sell too, if they weren't the right fit preference wise.

Linlai 6sn7 are great. I also have and used Ken Rad vt231 black glas. I liked them  a lot. But Linlai are even better. 

I also like Linlai 5u4g. They are affordable and really good, comparable to vintage Ken Rad and Brimar 5u4g. I didn't have EML 5u4 and Sophia Electric 'Aqua II' 274B. I am not ready to spend such amount of money for rectifier tubes. I tried once 5u4gbRCA it was the worst 5u4 I had. I don't recommend any 5u4gb.

The EML 300B/2.5's sell for <$900/pair.

Not familiar with them, just an FYI on the listed selling price.

DeKay

300b won't work at it best in 2a3 amplifier. 

Different,

1. Load resistance 2.5k , need 3.5k

2. Different self bias resistance value.

3. Different plate voltage. 

4. Need more voltage swing for driver tubes.

Alex:

The EML 300B discussed specs 2.5 filament voltage.

Not certain why it's named 300B/2.5 unless it's because of the larger (glass envelope) size.

There was also a 300B/2.5 made in China, but I forget the manufacturer (same larger glass envelope).

DeKay

Hi @dekay 

You are right. I read about this tube on the EML site. Yes it is designed to work in 2a3 amplifiers. It is more like 2a3, just more powerful.

@alexberger I have actually looked into the Linlai e-6SN7. From reviews, they seem to be superb tubes. A bit spendy for new production, but if they have the performance to back it up, then it is worth it. In the Aric, the pre-amp tubes make an enormous difference in the overall sound. There's also plenty of space to accommodate those larger tubes from Linlai. I'll have to see if Grant Fidelity will do a trio for a deal versus buying a pair + overpriced single.

@mmcgill829 If you are interested I have a pair of the Linlai top grade from Grant Fidelity. Maybe 75 hrs on them. I didn’t like them in my Super 6sn7 line stage. YMMV.

I bought my Linlai 6sn7 on AliExpress.com 

But I need a pair of tubes.

@evank Interesting! What didn't you like about them? What tubes do you prefer personally?

Also side note - how do you like those spatial speakers? I heard their new Q3 at SWAF in March and was entranced, to say the least.

@alexberger  i typically like to stay away from grey market or ebay for tubes (especially new production) unless they are cheap tubes. Like I'm not going to be upset if a $10 DHT tube for my DAC is bad but I'm going to be upset if $150 preamp tubes are. Just personal preference though!

@mmcgill829 

I just didn't find them too musical. I ended up sticking with the CBS ones that Aric had supplied. I also Like the Sylvanias but just not as much as the CBS. I tried some RCA's which had great midrange, but the lower end was too sloppy.

The Spatials are very transparent and dynamic and love the fact that they don't interact with the room as much as a conventional speaker.

@evank Interesting! Well I might be interested should you choose to move them, depending on cost.

That's good re: the spatials. The new Q3 models (pretty huge) threw out one of the most 3D soundstages I've heard in person. Pretty magical!

Has anyone used the KR 54UG or Sophia Electric 54UG? Bonus if you've used them and compared with EML Mesh 54UG or NOS RCA 54UGs.

NOS 5U4G RCA is not something special. I like Ken-Ran 5u4G. But Linlai 5u4g are on the same level and very cheap. I had a U52 GEC/Brimar brown base. It was really great, better than other stuff I had but it is crazy expensive now. I bought it when it was already used, and after 3 years it died. But to buy one today is too expensive.

Mmcgill829,

If I were you, I'd reach out to Brent Jessee to discuss your needs. He has a ton of hard to find 2A3, 6SN7, 5u4G tubes; and has great insights. He does not give away his tubes, but he does stand behind them with a warranty

@vthokie83 Thanks for the heads up. I'd never come across his website before. I'll check it out!

mmcgill829,

You are most welcome. I have purchased from Brent quite a few times, and the tubes and his recommendations have always been spot on......sometimes even recommending less expensive tubes, if he feels they are a better match. Happy listening

@alexberger said: "NOS 5U4G RCA is not something special. I like Ken-Ran 5u4G. But Linlai 5u4g are on the same level and very cheap. I had a U52 GEC/Brimar brown base. It was really great, better than other stuff I had but it is crazy expensive now. I bought it when it was already used, and after 3 years it died. But to buy one today is too expensive."

The GEC u-52 is my preferred rectifier for my Allnic phono stage. I too had a Brimar branded brown base in box, fresh old stock as far as I could tell. Still has some life in it, but I retubed the entire system a few years ago and found an earlier iteration- also a "cup base" but black. I've read various things about these- that they were the industrial version, that they were earlier than the brown bases, that they don't have the finesse of the brown base. My experience has been that the black base is comparable. The tube has far more air in my set up than the Mullard metal base, which is another "grail" rectifier.