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If NOS pre or power tubes became unavailable altogether, what new tubes would you buy?

Hey tuberollers, 

I'm curious to see what happens if there's a gun to your head, or more practically all NOS tubes disappear (dread).  What would you do with your line/pre stage and/or power stage?  

I have tried 5 different NOS 12AU7s and only 1 new 12AU7 in my preamp section (Cifte, RCA black plates (late 50s), Sylvanias, Baldwin organ tubes, Amperex 70s orange globes, and new Chinese stock Primaluna tubes).  In my power section, I have not tried any NOS tubes and 3 types of tubes (stock Chinese Primaluna EL34s, reissue Mullard EL34s, and reissue Gold Lion KT88s).  

Side note: I haven't ventured into NOS power tubes because of the cost and availability/scarcity.  I need 8 of them!

Without having tried anything else, I would be lost on new or reissue 12AU7s.  On the power tube side, I'd be just fine with either the reissue Mullard EL34s or the Gold Lion KT88s.  
jbhiller

Showing 2 responses by ehtoo

ehtoo's avatar
ehtoo
20 posts
 
The new production Mullard branded EL34's are good and I've used them in my Audiomat to great satisfaction. The Psvane EL34PH (only sourced from Grant Fidelity vs. Ebay) however,  are outstanding.  Their 12AX7 is a very fine hair away from sounding like a NOS early 60's Telefunken. They are pricier than most new production tubes but, less than NOS. 

 As to my previous comment,  Ebay Psvane tubes are seconds and anyone who has reported reliability issues confessed they ordered through this source. These seconds are dumped on the Chinese market which I don't understand at all since it erodes their image for a quality product. BTW, I have no vested interest in Grant Fidelity but, they insist on better screening.
ehtoo's avatar
ehtoo
20 posts
 
This peeing match reminds me of the discord over CD vs. LP.  I must agree with other posters here, get back to making suggestions for new production tubes contenders. One can argue ad nauseum over the efficacies of tube vs. solid state and I don't believe it will change anyone's  mind in the end.

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