2. amps-preamps
  3. 167078-24

Tube Flavor

Whats the best way to get a true taste of different tubes?  Should I change all preamp and power tubes with the same manufacturer?  For instance, I think the best way to truly understand a certain cable companies flavor is to have an entire spool of the same cables, ie all Analysis Plus Solo Crystal Oval 8’s...

I feel like cables, tubes, even equipment each has its own flavor or house sound.  
So, now that Im going to swap some power tubes should I get a matching set of pre amp tubes too?  I feel like if I have 3 or 4 complete sets, i can get a feel for each and THEN start mixing and matching accordingly,

Anyways, this tube stuff is fun and it sounds so dang good to these ears that I wont go back if I can help it.
128x128b_limo
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,487 posts
 
What tubes are you now using?
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
3,882 posts
 
For one buy NOS vintages tubes night and day better built then tubes from China and Russia,small tubes ,NOS tubes can get pricy. go to Brent Jesse recordings , he has a rough breakdown of their sonics. If you need help on sonics of a specific size shoot Me an email I have been voicing tubes for 45+ years .
But reading up on them and each brand has its own flavor 
as well as older the better ,anything  from 40s- early 70s was built to a much higher standard , there are a few tubes today made to very high standards but rare ,from Europe, Japan , even U.S made Western Electric depending on tube type and can be 
$$ pricy.
jerryg123's avatar
jerryg123
3,429 posts
 
@b_limo I would look at Dave’s posts at Raven. Daves12 
tuberist's avatar
tuberist
951 posts
 
Agree with JCTF
speakermaster
738 posts
 
Make sure you go for nos tubes from someone like andy's tubes he has a wide selection of different brands to try and he can help you with the selection process but you want to change the driver tubes first because they will have the most effect on the sound then go for the power tubes but they will all make a difference over new tubes and they will last up to ten times longer than new tubes.
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