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If NOS pre or power tubes became unavailable altogether, what new tubes would you buy?

Hey tuberollers, 

I'm curious to see what happens if there's a gun to your head, or more practically all NOS tubes disappear (dread).  What would you do with your line/pre stage and/or power stage?  

I have tried 5 different NOS 12AU7s and only 1 new 12AU7 in my preamp section (Cifte, RCA black plates (late 50s), Sylvanias, Baldwin organ tubes, Amperex 70s orange globes, and new Chinese stock Primaluna tubes).  In my power section, I have not tried any NOS tubes and 3 types of tubes (stock Chinese Primaluna EL34s, reissue Mullard EL34s, and reissue Gold Lion KT88s).  

Side note: I haven't ventured into NOS power tubes because of the cost and availability/scarcity.  I need 8 of them!

Without having tried anything else, I would be lost on new or reissue 12AU7s.  On the power tube side, I'd be just fine with either the reissue Mullard EL34s or the Gold Lion KT88s.  
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toddverrone's avatar
toddverrone
838 posts
 
@rauliruegas that's great you posted things here first.. you didn't invent them, though, so get off your high horse. 
nordicnorm
173 posts
 
The most consistent new tube I've used over the past 8 years has been Shuguang Black Treasure ( KT88, CV181-z, 12AX7 LS ) and Psvane (12AU7, 12AT7).

Shuguang Black Treasure:
http://psvanetube.com/wordpress/purchase/shuguang-treasure-series-vacuum-tubes/

Shuguang Custom 12AX7 LS, Psvane 12AU7, 12AT7:
http://psvanetube.com/wordpress/category/review/feedback/




enginedr1960
130 posts
 

I can see it now a Mexican on a big white horse wearing a tee shirt

with a picture of a 300b with a circle with a cross through it .

Ok Raul I agree with the DD turntable camp as well as the multiple subwoofers and have heard the Technics epc 205 cartridge . and agree it is one of the best . I am on the fence with the tubes and need to try some good SS gear to compare . I would like to here your thoughts on your digital front end . I am using a AOIP set up with a Foccusrite Red Net 3 to a Metrum  NOS type DAC      

tubed1
161 posts
 
There is no modern day equivalent to the NOS Hammersmith code Genalex KT-88.
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rauliruegas
9,123 posts
 
Dear @enginedr1960 and friends: Comparison means not a few hours but at least 3 months in a row with full SS sytem and then come back to tubes and compare it. In those months is very important to attend as often we can to listen live MUSIC in a nearfield situation, this nearfield issue is important because is the way the recording microphones are in place during it and the target is to be nearer to the recording nearer on what the micros pick-up.
To make a serious comparison is critical to have a proved/bullet-proof whole evaluation process and to know in specific what to look for during those evaluation tests.

The tube overall subject is a very sensitive subject every time I " touch " it and the problem is mainly because many of you are living for many years in the " tubes's ghetto "  ( the only difference is that there don't kill you, only kills the MUSIC. ) where you never ask to stay there the corrupted AHEE just put all of you there ( in the same manner I was there for years. ).

All the ones inside that ghetto are victims of but all of you have a true advantage over the second world war: you are totally free to go out and I know sooner or latter all go out and the corrupted gentlemans that are the owners of that ghetto will pay for what they did it with all of us.

We only need to learn. They take advantage of our very high ignorance levels in that subject and that's corruption.

Btw, @toddverrone: you are rigth but I never said invented nothing and about the " horse " that's a privilege that each one of us have. never mind, agree with you.

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC not DISTORTIONS,
R.
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