The new production Mullard and Tungsol 12ax7 tubes are nice, I can live with them no problem. I suppose the 12au7 versions are fine too but I have not used those. I don't care for new 6sn7. I have a stash of GE, CBS, Hytron, RCA, Raytheon, Sylvania, Kenrad, Soviet ones and a few others. They should last a lifetime but if some anti-ageing procedure is invented and I manage to outlast them, I would get the Shuguangs. Oh and you have to try JJ 6ca7 tubes, they are one of my favorites. Big ballsy sound!
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.
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.