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Which tubes to buy

I have an Audio Research Ref. 160s power amplifier. It's almost time to replace the tubes. This will be the first time I replace the tubes in this amp. In the past I have purchased tubes for my Ref. 6SE preamp directly from Audio Research or Upscale Audio. Audio Research furnishes Tung-Sol  KT 150 tubes with the amp. and also as replacements. Recently I have found PSVANE brand tubes available. Does anybody have experience using these tubes? I'm trying to get the best sound quality. Tung-Sol made in Russia have been around a long time. PSVANE made in China is new to me. Any suggestions or recommendations?

motorheadflash

Showing 1 response by elliottbnewcombjr

elliottbnewcombjr
5,731 posts
 

you can research reliability, customer service, but you need to actually hear them in your equipment/system to know.

you can buy both brands from ali-express, just leave them in/on for 60 hrs (no signal needed) to burn them in: listen, keep one, both, return one or both

KT150 ali-express

tubedepot has a 20% restocking fee, tubestore does not mention that, but ... I bought from brent jesse, he let me return, no charge, I just paid the shipping difference, and I got a refund, the ones I liked cost less.

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