I am not sure I understand what you are saying. With this VAC at least you just set the bias for new tubes, then check it a few times later and leave it alone. Recheck every month.
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In fact, the Mullards that I just got improved further after 100 hours of burn in. Either they were virtually new or were not played for some time. Or both.
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Mullards XF2s are in my VAC Avatar SE. I'll give them a burn in time of a few dozen hours. But it's clear right away that they are far superior to SEDs in every respect. The most striking difference is how well they present the performing space, how at the same time the sound is more coherent and instrument separation is much better. Drums don't jump out of the speakers and Miles's trumpet doesn't scream in my face. Well, I exaggerated a little, SEDs are not bad. And overall, very sophisticated sound with depth and grace.
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This thread is about noble original vintage tubes. Not necessarily only Mullard.
Talking about modern tubes here would be like talking about cassette decks in a reel-to-reel thread. And some cassette decks sound quite good, I've got one. But even the best of them are quite far from serious open reel decks.
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Bought matched quad of XF2. Not new but test strong NOS, I see no reason not to believe the seller. I bet they will sound significantly better than SEDs.
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Ralph, right, I will have my SEDs as a back up to use when not doing critical listening. My amp is usually on for about three hours a day on average.
I haven't heard about 10000 hours Mullard EL34, but I have heard about 5000 hours Mullard EL34.
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After all, I decided that I couldn't indeed live without Mullards, so I will find them for a reasonable price, probably not exactly new but that test NOS.
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Is anyone familiar with EL34 Groove Tubes ?
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Right. I certainly can live without Mullards, SEDs Winged are acceptable and still available for now.
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Anyway, if I got it right, I will want either XF1 or XF2, and matching is desirable.
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Yeah, Brent does have a few used XF1 but they are unmatched, $150 each.
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tksteingraber, a lot of work and some luck.
I just see no reason to switch from SEDs to anything but vintage Mullard.
Yes, soul and tone.
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Did you get matched or unmatched quads of used Mullard XF2 ? $100 for test new is not bad.
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Never heard of them. "Sound very good" is not good enough for me. Either I will stay with SED Winged, that are alright, or will want vintage Mullards.
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Yeah, but he has an excellent and substantial feedback, and each tube is under $100, so I'll give it a chance. One tube to begin with.
Just can't spend that much on new Mullards from Tube Depot, though they have some other Mullards for $300 each new.
Besides, they only have a few tubes in stock, so it is not a long term solution at all.
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Oh it's fine, we are just talking tubes.
Tube Depot has a stock of SEDs EL34, I bought my quad from them. One was defective, only held for 700 hours.
Then there is a seller from the UK on ebay who sells, as he says, original Svetlana winged 'C' s EL34. They look a little different. I'll try one of those later too.
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It appears that the older Mullards you go with the better, generally speaking.
The price from reliable sources, if they have them, and even from unreliable ones, is very close to prohibitive. $450 for XF1 each new or $300 for used, that's what I see. Some say, though, that NOS EL34 Mullards might last 5000 hours, which is great if true.
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