TUBE NOOB: WHAT BRAND

To everyone else, thanks a million. Your advice is greatly appreciated. Please keep posting!

Johnbrown: I don't expect ass kissing, but a degree of respect towards people taking their time to help seems like a fair trade.

>> Yes, the operative phrase being "taking their time to HELP". Unfortunately that condition was hardly by the initial posters who decided to handwave at the question.

What are you guys talking about? Some general advice for someone who knows nothing about tubes would be helpful. This is very unusual for audiogon.

1) I know some brands will be junk, a warning would be nice.

2) Do you have to match these tubes the way you do power tubes?

3) What specification will illustrate how a tube handles microphonics?

4) How can I test them electronically to make sure I am getting what I pay for.

This information would be helpful. Yes, I will experiment, but some guidelines would help make things easier for me. I would like to benefit from other peoples experience in this hobby, instead of spinning my wheels needlessly. That along with my reciprocation of knowledge is what this forum is all about. Besides what do I do, buy 30 sets of tubes and spend 3 weeks trying them all. That is just foolish!

Again, some help and advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance to those who decide to contribute positively to this discussion.

" 17-09: Lapierre
Try to identify what your trying to improve sonically before purchasing that special tube.

Do you want extended highs with much details and an even smoother midrange, or looking for a wider soundstage that you can almost swim in. "

YES: Wider Sound stage, will I need swimming lessons? So, which one will make me want to practice my breast stroke?

Do you expect me to say no to the other 2 things you mentioned, yeah I want extended highs( not as much as stage). and I would also like a smooth mid range, though I am quite happy with the mid range at present. The tubes I have are approximately 12 years old, were moderately used, have become a little noisey over the past little while and I have a balance issue.....Hence the replacement! Yeah I want to replace them with the best tubes I can get my hands on.

>>""What are you guys talking about?" Tubes are like every >>other component in the chain-except more so. Virtually >>every person you ask will have their own opinions, so >>it's ridiculous to demand to know 'the best'. Do some >>research, buy a set of tubes, listen to them for weeks, >>attempt to isolate what you do/don't like about them, do >>some more research, try another set. Etc. Yes, this >>process can take a long time. Years even. Fortunately, >>it's not torture-unlike, say, a crappy, ear-bleed >>cartridge, tube differences are generally subtle enough >>that, unless something's horribly wrong, any set will be >>listenable. It's all about nuance.

>>And one other piece of advice-drop the dickhead attitude. >>People are giving their time to try and help you, whether >>you know it or not."

I am tired of being berated about this. I contribute to this forum as well, where I can. You can see my post where I had long discussion about home made cables, where i spoke with a cable manufacturer and he made a video for us. The "dickhead attitude" is what I got when I asked a simple question for tube advice. The initial response I got was " buy all the tubes you can and try them". Do I have to point out again how counter productive this is. It only makes sense to ask an expert, so you don't have to torture yourself and wallet. Again this forum is supposed to for sharing knowledge. My homework will be shared when I have more experience, and my questions, that get answered will be viewed by others who have similar questions. Now that we understand how a forum works, we can continue the discussion.

There is a little science behind this. The tube dampers seem like a great idea for isolation of microphonics, though I still think that there is an abundance of vibration that travels through the pins from-> socketsfrom ->Pc board etc.... I have seen a solution to this problem, gel filled sockets do help eliminate this problem. As well, it would seem like the "thick plate" solution would be a good one. Only when viewing the tubes online it is hard to tell. Is there a statistic that explains which tube might better reduce microphonics?

>>Riley804: Why did you get into tube equipment if you know >>nothing about it then ?

Well Riley, because tube equipment is incredible and I like how it sounds. Is that okay with you?

>>Riley804: Who said anything about buying 30 sets of tubes ? You have to use a little common sense ....

Well I have 30 sets of tubes in front of me, and if I follow your advice I would be buying all them and trying them all; the lack of common sense was pointed out by me when I was criticizing you unhelpful response.

>>Riley804: So members of this forum with their experience do the homework for you so that you never fail .

No I should just buy all the tubes in the world and not ask for advice.

Thanks Again for your advice Riley804, I think you have contributed more then you should to this post.

Riley804; Thanks again, you have really outdone yourself LOL. Yet, another unhelpful post. Why do you try so hard? I get it you don't want to help and you would like it if people didn't post in the forum and just bought all the equipment in the world and experimented without consulting anyone for advice and help.

This is really getting out of hand. No one is supporting you, aside from people that gave a non-response to begin with. Look at Honest1's post. The best you tube experts could come up with after all these years of experience is just try them all, a very impractical solution to people here on planet earth!

>>Why have the internet if you arent going to use it for what it was intended for ????

As I understood it, the internet was meant as a medium of exchange of information. What you are suggesting is that I stick my head in the sand and just buy them all without asking questions. Clever.

Yes the question is general what tubes will give me the best sound. Perhaps a newbie needs to schooled on some details. All I was told is buy them all ans try them.

Now I don't appreciate being misquoted. In the above posts you literally put words in my mouth.

Finally the tube experts have spoken and decided to answer some of the questions I posted. {I am only speaking about the three users have been not only unhelpful but pompous as well. Everyone else great job, and it is appreciated.}

Well now you have answered 4 questions, rudely, and added insult with your help. I guess you can be proud of yourself. It was like pulling teeth and hardly worth it Tpreaves.

No you don't have my gear, but there is plenty of junk, scams to avoid, and details regarding NOS etc.. and someone with experience might be able to offer a newbie, kind of like that thing the internet was made for! Instead you tell me to buy them all, congratulation good job. I sincerely hope your not an investment adviser.

>>07-17-09: Johnbrown
>>You're a piece of work-good luck with that. Bye.

I am saddened to hear that your leaving this thread. Thanks for all the help.

What email?

I don't care to argue anymore. I thought you left this thread?

Yeah anyways. I get it but your taking up a lot of forum space. We all get it, we know your opinion is that there is nothing to know about tubes just try them all and don't ask questions. Lets leave some space for others to answer the question so that people in the future who run into this dilemma will be able to use this thread without having to sift through pages of you defending yourself.

Racamuti:

Excellent reference I can't wait to speak to them. They look like true professionals, possibly the final authority on tubes. For those still into this thread, please have a look at this their site. There is a very interesting history of tube companies section on the site.

Oh and there is also a section on the art of tube selection
http://vintagetubeservices.com/page4.html

Yes have a look!