Does Emission Labs make the best sounding 2A3 tube?
Steve
"Best Sounding" is a loaded phrase.
Each person's system, room, hearing, and musical tastes are going to be different.
Additionally, how Vinnie is using the DHT tubes is different from almost everybody else out there, so you can't really search on "best" 2A3/45/811/etc...because the reviews and comments will almost all be based on using these DHT tubes as output or driver tubes - not as OTL preamp tubes!
So when you add it up, one person can't really say one tube is the best for everybody.
As I previously posted, I felt that the EML 2A3 mesh plate was the best sounding tube I have tried in my system. I was able to compare it to a few different tubes (stock EH 2A3, Svetlana SV-811, Cunningham CX301A, EML 300B, National Union Black Plate 45's). I fully recognize that there are lots of other tubes out there and I could keep on trying more to see what I like best. Ultimately I decided to go with the best of what I have heard and went with the EML 2A3 mesh plate.
Vinnie is about to start his "tube audition" program in which different DHT tubes will be available to try in your system. This really is the best approach.
Kudos to Vinnie for offering such a program to his customers.
George
