Do military/industrial tubes sound better than regular ones ?

Or they are usually just more rugged and longer lasting? I am particularly interested in 12AX7 and 12AU7 RCA blackplates from early and late 50s.

They are often double the price, but that would not be my main concern in this case because even regular ones should last for a very long time.

In other words, I would like to have best sounding RCA blackplates in my VAC Avatar SE, and longer lasting would be a bonus.

inna02-06-2025 10:02pm

skiznfliz Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 55 posts 02-07-2025 at 12:15pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete No matter what it really all depends on synergy. I love my GE & RCA 5751 & 5814 Black Plates, I have them in Gray versions from GE & RCA as well. I’ve also accumulated At7’s, AU7’s & AX7’s from Amprex, Mullard,Slovak, Psvane, & Northern Electric that are now just sitting in a box. I sold the bugle Boys being I could. I’ve tried em’ all and found it’s all dependent on what you AND your system like. My GE 5814 Black Plates sound the best in my System’s Preamp. GE 5751 Black Plates sound the best in my PhonoPre RCA 5751 Black Plates sound the best in my DAC. (For Output) Thank god the preamp tubes should last a long time being these tubes are getting harder to locate, at a reasonable price that is. A tube reseller once told me Black Plate Tubes handle the internal heat better, All I can tell you from my experience, I find Black Plates to sound better and have a better synergy with my equipment.