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Is upgrading stock tubes standard proceedure?

I'm just wondering if I'm the last guy to realize just how enormous an improvement can be had by upgrading stock tubes to NOS. Most of my system has been in place for some time now and I've sought to improve it's performance by tweaking. Tube changes have resulted in noticeable but subtle results; most of the time involving trade-offs... until now. I just upgraded the 6922s in my cj Premier 17LS to Amperex 6DJ8s with stunning results. I can't find any trade-offs, everything desirable in audio is improved IMHO. This is the kind of improvement I would have been looking for if I bought a new preamp and spent twice the money. As much as I've read about tube rolling, based on what I'm experiencing now, there isn't enough emphasis, especially by professional reviewers.

So, I guess my purpose in writing this thread is two fold:

1) Why don't tubes receive at least the same attention as the equipment they're in.

2) Just a heads-up in case there is anyone else out there who thinks they can't justify $100 or more for a small tube.
phaelon
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albertporter
4,927 posts
 
Phaelon, for what it's worth, I've been doing this for a lot of years and agree 100% with your comments.

Without NOS tubes, my system would take a huge hit in performance.

As you say, not just a tonal balance or preference thing, the right NOS tubes make the equipment perform better in every way.
stiltskin
499 posts
 
Back in the day I remember going to a vintage radio collector and repair man for vacuum tubes .

There was no such thing as tube dealers, unheard of.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
I don't think you can blame dealers for not recommending NOS tubes. Dealers need to be able to offer products that are in ready supply, and that are consistent in their performance. NOS tubes are neither. It's why manufacturers supply only new production tubes. There simply isn't a sufficient supply of reliable NOS tubes.

NOS tubes are quickly becoming extinct. Available to only deep-pocket audiophiles.

Fortunately, there are companies that make excellent use of new production tubes. VAC, ARC, Conrad Johnson and Atma-Sphere come immediately to mind.
mrtennis
3,295 posts
 
many current-production tube components have circuits which are not tube sensitive. i have encountered many examples of this phenomenon. in such cases, replacing stock tubes is not beneficial.
jaffeassc
166 posts
 
I own a CJ CT6 and have also found that there is a significant improvement by changing the stock tubes. I have tried both Amperex and Siemens with excellent results. It’s also interesting to note that in the CJ Owner’s Manual under Vacuum Tube Replacement they make the following statement when speaking of the stock tubes supplied with the unit.

“We know of no vacuum tubes available which will improve the sonic performance of your CT.”

Just not so, IMO
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