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Best 845 tube out there?

I am running a pair of Cary CAD-211AE monoblocks with the standard no-name Chinese tubes shipped by Cary. Whilst I am happy with the sound, I think I should buy a pair of 845's to keep as backup in case something happens to these tubes.

Because I will need to buy FOUR of them, this rules out any tube that sells for stupid money (e.g. vintage RCA 845 tubes).

The only current production 845's I am aware of are:

- Shuguang 845 "standard"
- Shuguang 845B
- Shuguang 845C
- Shuguang PSVANE 845
- KR Audio 845

I have found reviews of the Shuguang 845B and 845C, but there is virtually no information out there on the new Shuguang "psvane" 845. Has anybody heard this valve, and is it a noticable improvement over the 845B and C? Also, what do people think of the KR?
amfibius

Showing 8 responses by charles1dad

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Have to agree with Jeff. Righrt out of the box the superior sound of the Psvane 845 was easily apparent. It`s very natural and sounds superb in his Absolare Passion amplifier.The previous Shuguangs he had weren`t bad at all(in fact they were good sounding to me). The Psvane is a higher level of sonic performance.
Charles,
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Brf,
This is a good example of individual impression variance. I've heard the Psvane W.E. Replica 845 in direct comparison to the RCA Nos 845 in Jwm's Absolare PSET amamplifier. The Psvane, marketing hype or not withstanding, was clearly superior in sound across the board. I can accept that different amplifiers can yield various outcomes. What I heard is markedly different from your account.
Charles,
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Valvulator,
You're right, Absolare used the Elrog 845 for a while but have moved on from that tube. It seems to have developed a reputation for poor reliability despite its high price.
Brf,I'll let Jwm speak for himself but he has exceptional nuance, inner detail, resolution and wonderful organic sound with the W.E. replica tubes. They seem better as time passes.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Given the quality and sucess of their 300b beauties I'm sure EML or Takatsuki could develop a superb 845 as I well.
Charles,
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
KR tubes are an enigma, they have a reputation for good sound yet have been plagued with reliability woes.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Jwm has used his since 09/2013. More than enough time to form a long term impression.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
I can attest to the many sonic attributes of the 300b, however I also  like the 845 very much. Depending on the speakers involved, some may certainly benefit from the additional (3-4x) power of an 845 output tube. Either tube is capable of exceptional sound quality. 
Charles 
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Parsons,
thank you very much for such kind comments.
Charles
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