2. amps-preamps
  3. 161387-96791

Constant noisy tubes maybe go solid state?

I have a Quicksilver Line Stage Preamp (12AT7) mated to an Odyssey Khartago Stereo. Overall I like it. Way too much gain but I digress. Weeks after receiving it I rolled in a few different tubes, kinda fun to color the sound signature. I liked rhe RXA black plates I got and those stuck around for more than a year. They started going microphonic and making noises so I ordered another pair (noisy) then another different vendor (blasts of white noise) and another set that arrived today (one is noisy as holy hell and one seems fine).

So where does one order preamp quality tunes that are quiet? Is there something I’m not requesting when ordering? Maybe dump
snd go solid state? I’m trying to be humorous because I’m pissed. Ha.
gochurchgo

Showing 4 responses by facten

facten
2,758 posts
 
Could be. Likewise as long as long you buy from a reputable dealer and he insures that the tube tests unused and measures within industry guidelines it is NOS
facten
2,758 posts
 
Like a few others not a fan of the sound of JJ tubes. Been pleased with tubes from Brent Jessee.
facten
2,758 posts
 
Tube Depot is fine, however they don't seem to have the same level of NOS stock that they used to have
facten
2,758 posts
 
" By wary of any tube seller that uses the term: "NOS in white boxes". Much more common with JAN tubes that were bulk packed, this term usually means that the tube tests as NOS and comes in a white box. Not the same thing. "

Help me understand why you think you need to be wary of NOS in white boxes from reputable tube dealers. I’ve had a NOS NIB RCA 12ax7 fail, and just had a New Production Psvane KT88 NIB fail after 300 hours. Any tube can fail regardless how they were packaged.
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