Would you buy a tube amp if you were unable to use vintage tubes in it ?


Not available or too expensive.

Hmm.., I don't think I have a definitive answer for myself, but I would do my best to avoid such amps. There is no substitute for great tubes, I guess, especially if you value sophisticated sound.

 

inna

Showing 1 response by knotscott

Absolutely.  I’ve run precious few NOS or vintage tubes in my amps/preamp over the years.  Tung Sol, Gold Lion, and some EH and new issue Mullards have been sounding darn good to me.  Even the modern tubes that I haven’t "loved" have been pretty pleasant.

It's difficult for manufacturers to supply reliable consistent vintage tubes in large quantities, so many world class amps source tubes from Russia or China, or wherever else new tubes are made.