2. amps-preamps
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Best Tubes on Market today?

I'd like to upgrade tubes on my Mastersound Compact 845 SET.
I'm getting a loud buzzing noise from both channels at  listening position which I find extremely annoying.
 My current tubes are Shuguang 845C (cheap Chinese electron). Pre amp tubes are Tungsram ECC82 and driver tubes 6SN7 EH. Probably all cheap stock tubes. I Love the the sweet sound but noise level is unacceptable.  Also very audible transformer noise, but I doubt there is a fix for that. Are there other ways to minimize tube/transformer noise?

What are the most reliable aforementioned tubes out there and what is the best place to get them?
Upscale audio seems to have quite a selection. PSVANE was also recommended by some. 
 I would prefer not to spend more than $600 on 845 tubes and hoping for reliable clean sounding tubes all around.    
I also have C2600 preamp with stock tubes. Any advice on those? 
ei001h

Showing 5 responses by ei001h

ei001h OP
300 posts
 
Test pilot, Metal plate glows bright red 
ei001h OP
300 posts
 
Is there a reliable source for vintage tubes? 
ei001h OP
300 posts
 
DC offset? How do I test for it? I get the transformer buzz even when everything is disconnected. Not sure what you mean, please elaborate. 

Better amp than Mastersound ? I was under the impression mastersound is one of the more high end amps out there. It's counterpart PF100 is $50,000 and a slightly larger Evo 845 is 18k. 

I switched pre tubes around from left to right and the louder noise also moved to the other channel. So I assume it's pre tube. How do I get rid of ground loop? 

Also, my questions remains, what are the best 845 tubes right now? 
ei001h OP
300 posts
 
Which PSvane in particular ? There is quite a few out there. 
ei001h OP
300 posts
 
Here is a selection of tubes from upscale audio:
ECC82 or 12AU7. Are those identical tubes with different names?
Which would be best in your opinion based on experience? 

MULLARD NEW PRODUCTION 12AU7 / ECC82

TUNGSRAM ECC82 / 12AU7

TUNG-SOL 12AU7W / 6189

RCA CLEARTOP 12AU7

GOLD LION ECC82 / B749 / 12AU7

RADIOTECHNIQUE 12AU7

CIFTE 12AU7

BRIMAR CV4003 / 12AU7


Price makes no difference for me here. Anyone with experience on the above ? The original tube in my amp are Tungsram ECC82
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