I was wondering if there's a thread on Tubes 101.
What's good (brands) - what's not, what's a waste of money, burn-in, etc.
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Dave_in_Va wrote:If the VTA is new and came with tubes, I wouldn't do anything. Let the amp settle in for a couple of months.
It's tempting to start trying different tubes but you run into potential problems with the tube sockets if you don't retention at every swap.
Just enjoy it as is for a while.
If you didn't buy it with tubes, probably getting a quad from Mr. McShane would be a safe bet. Asking for opinions about new production tubes on the internet is kind of like asking people what their favorite color is. Also, I believe there are only a handful of factories worldwide making all of these different brands.
For your VTA-120 ; use the driver tubes bob recommends ( and sells). I assume you gotDavidR wrote:Thanks for all the answers. My amp is used but just trying to get an understanding about Brands and Sellers. It came with new Sovtek 6550 output tubes.
Tube Depot has been suggested as a good source and VacuumTubes.net. I bought a pair of NOS Sylvania 6SN7 tubes for a tube buffer off of eBay and they are very good tubes. No issues with them but will stay away from here on out based on your input.
What are some good NOS Brands for driver tubes?
Hi, David, and welcome.DavidR wrote:Thanks for all the answers. My amp is used but just trying to get an understanding about Brands and Sellers. It came with new Sovtek 6550 output tubes.
Tube Depot has been suggested as a good source and VacuumTubes.net. I bought a pair of NOS Sylvania 6SN7 tubes for a tube buffer off of eBay and they are very good tubes. No issues with them but will stay away from here on out based on your input.
What are some good NOS Brands for driver tubes?
wildiowa wrote:I can only tell you what I have found works best for me. I try to buy the best brand I can afford, and today's popular opinion is that the Gold Lion brand seems to fill that bill. You can chase old stock but the price varies wildly and you don't know what you've got....I have bought matched quads from Jim McShane in Chicago, a well known and trusted tube guru, and I have bought a matched quad from another seller with good reviews and a bit cheaper price. Jim sells premium stuff, and you get a lot of support if you need it, but Jim knows he's the best and charges accordingly...a bit more, in other words. You can save a few bucks on the internet if you want to look around.
wildiowa wrote:I have a Citation II and have lost a couple of KT88's for various reasons. Not sure if it was a tube failure or something internally started it, hard to tell when the fireworks begin. It goes with the territory.
wildiowa wrote:I don't know much about the Sovteks, other stuff on the market. I have some old original Gold Lions from the 60's and those seem to be highly regarded...working with Don Sachs and other rebuilders those seem to be what they prefer, even though they are Russian now, I believe.
arledgsc wrote:You have to discover what works best for you and yes there are many, many choices. ....................................
But it is daunting and I had to try many tubes to settle on what I like. And if you ask each member of the forum they are going to all list different tubes and types they prefer. That was the initial confusing part for me. There is no definitive "golden" set of tubes that works for everyone. And we are here for help.. just ask!
DavidR wrote:You are correct. We all have ears but they are all different. I hope I didn't open up a can of worms.
arledgsc wrote:DavidR wrote:You are correct. We all have ears but they are all different. I hope I didn't open up a can of worms.
No, we are an open forum but full of knuckleheads and break out into electronic fist fights occasionally. About every six months this question comes up and everyone is eager to help. Welcome to the forum BTW!
David, ask Bob L. or Jim McShane on this one. I'll take the Gold Lions from Jim McShane any old day, but Bob may have some NOS that are just as good or better.DavidR wrote:Electro-Harmonix Gold or Genalex Gold Lion for 12BH7A tube ?
Dave_in_Va wrote:Aren't Genelex tubes the same Russian tubes from the same factory that makes several brands?
As far as I know these brands (Mullard, Tung-Sol, Genelex) have absolutely nothing to do with the the original companies.
Correct me if I'm wrong but aren't there only three tube factories? One in China, one in Russia and one in the Czech Republic (or somewhere in eastern Europe)?
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