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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.  
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jollytinker
213 posts
 
Raul's posts are all about Raul. Too bad he's taken over this thread and ignored the polite request from the OP to knock it off. 
tubegroover
2,320 posts
 
So far as new tubes, I really like the Sophia Electric 6SN7 tubes which I'm sure are Chinese sourced. Only problem is longevity but they are both linear and extended, more preferable to me than any of the NOS types of this tube, pricey however considering.. Another new tube I find superb is the Russian made Tung Sol KT150 it does everything right in my mono amps, certainly better than the Gold Lion KT88s I also have tried.
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.
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rauliruegas
13,052 posts
 
Dear @jollytinker : OP question:

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

my answer and firt post was: NONE, change to SS alternative.


What’s wrong with that, it’s an opinion Real problem is the very high ignorance level of some of you in that critical audio subject. Almost all of you likes to live in the audio dinosaur's century, this is not my    fault.

"  Raul's posts are all about Raul "   NO, it's all as people like you. The problem is the false audio world where you live, NOT ME.

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC not DISTORTIONS,
R.
jollytinker
213 posts
 
Nothing! That's *all* you need to say IMO. Now back to regularly scheduled programming, I hope.  
Cheers, jt 
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