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If you were a tube preamplifier manufacturer

We all know NOS tube prices are increasing and getting hard to be obtained day by day,there are several new production power tubes accepted fine performer such as Gold Lion Reissue KT88 and KT66,Shuguang KT88 SC, EH 6CA7,JJ KT77, etc.. among the audiophiles.
If you were a tube preamplifier manufacturer,which type and brand preamp tube you would choose from the new production tubes and why?,considering
its linearity,frequencies band from top to bottom, noise and microphonic clearness ,dynamic and rich midrange spectrum,etc.. ( I find some tubes are noisy or microphonic some has great top end but loose the bass region or just the opposite ...)
Is there any new production preamplifier tube being great performer like the new production power tubes mentioned above?
Thanks
ben
thorman
1,262 posts
 
For me it seems that each different tube Manufacturer has certain tubes that is very good and some not so good..That is why you will see many people saying Such and such 12ax7 is great and some el34 is great..I found the SED EL 34 is a great tube..But for some reason they no longer make the 12ax7..I also love the EI Cryo'd 12ax7 but can't say I like any of there other tubes..I think it really is a crap shoot..The NOS tubes are much more consistant but still need System Synergy.......
nick778
147 posts
 
Most new preamps seem to use tubes made by Chinese (McIntosh) or Russian manufacturers. Seems a shame really as the quality of sound obviously isn't up there with older vintage tubes.....which is why their prices are high and these vintage tube places exist to begin with.

Regardless of who makes them, it doesn't make sense to me why a preamp manufacturer can't spec out a 'good' tube to the manufacturer that is as good as the vintage tubes....other than cost reasons but given the type of preamp above $4000-$15000, you'd think there would be more control of the quality of tube being made for an OEM's preamp.

Sounds like a business opportunity.
cruz123
586 posts
 
As indicated, there are a number of very good current production power tubes. Hopefully, this quality will ultimately trickle down to pre tubes. I will say that the VAC labeled 12AU7's (not sure who makes them) that came with my VAC Musicbloc's are quite good. I'm using NOS Mullards, but could easily live with the stock tubes.
cyclonicman
693 posts
 
Although they are not NOS tubes, I know ARC and Conrad Johnson keep supplies of tubes in stock that have to meet their stringent tests. The drawback is that they are least double the price that you would pay if you purchase from an independent tube seller. Of course, they are not going to be offering a line of tubes, but only the ones they use in their components. I think that most of the great tubemakers of the past are dead and with them part of the art of tubemaking died.
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