My favorite tubes are....

geowak · « **on:** 2 Dec 2013, 12:48 pm »

Just wondering if some of you have favorite tubes? (NOS or even new) And of course, why do you like them so much? For me it's NOS Rca 12AU7's (cleartops) for the great higher freqs and smooth midrange. Close second is the newer Genelex KT88 Gold Lions. These have great range and dynamics IMHO

TheButler · « **Reply #1 on:** 2 Dec 2013, 02:55 pm »

In my hi-fi gear, I use new production Mullard 12AX7's in my CD player and new production Electro Harmonix 6922 Gold's in my FM tuner.

The CD player came with Jolida branded tubes (made by Shuguang). They actually sounded pretty good.

I tried new production Tung Sols in the CD player but they sounded way too strident; the Mullards on the other hand are very linear and smooth sounding.

Haven't rolled any tubes in the FM tuner.

mick wolfe · « **Reply #2 on:** 2 Dec 2013, 03:21 pm »

Quote from: geowak on 2 Dec 2013, 12:48 pm

Just wondering if some of you have favorite tubes? (NOS or even new) And of course, why do you like them so much? For me it's NOS Rca 12AU7's (cleartops) for the great higher freqs and smooth midrange. Close second is the newer Genelex KT88 Gold Lions. These have great range and dynamics IMHO

I'll second the Genalex KT 88's. I use them in my Bob Latino ST 70 and as drivers in my Line Magnetic 218IA. Also like their (Gold Lion) 12AX7's. Use these in the phono stage of my CJ Prem. 3 and as line pre tubes in the 218. For NOS I like the Mullard 4024, Ei Elite Gold Pin 6DJ8 and the Russian 6P3. Probably should mention two other newer offerings I've liked and that would be the Tung-Sol KT 120's and Tung-Sol 6L6's.

Octadyn · « **Reply #3 on:** 3 Dec 2013, 12:31 pm »

My favorite tube is the original Tung Sol 6550 solid black plate. To me it has the magical midrange of an good EL34 but with better highs and lows. 2nd would be the original solid grey plate. Very close to the black plates but a slightly more forward midrange. Ei KT90 type2 are also very nice. A little more forward and punchy with a huge sound stage. Similar to the KT120's but a lot more refined.

S Clark · « **Reply #4 on:** 3 Dec 2013, 01:22 pm »

Mullard 6qb5 followed by the Reflector 6H30DR

sebrof · « **Reply #5 on:** 3 Dec 2013, 01:24 pm »

My favorite are the JJ 2A3-40s. I compared them to several others including old stock Sylvanias, Sovtek, and Shuguang 2A3Cs and the JJs are just a better tube.
I'd like to compare to the TJ/Sophia perphplates which are the only tubes I see in the general price range of the JJs (~$250 for the JJs and ~$350 for the Sophias) that may sound as good/better. Jumping to EML or KR meshplates is in the $600- $800 range.

And RCA 807s. Sound great and you can get brand spanking new ones for $20 a pop (or at least you could a few years ago when I last bought them). If you have a 6L6 amp you should try them (with adapters).

rpf · « **Reply #6 on:** 3 Dec 2013, 04:56 pm »

NOS:

Mullard "High Wycombe" GZ34 (5AR4) (in various Modwright gear)

Mullard GZ34 metal base (in various Modwright gear)

Reflector 6H30DR (in various Modwright gear)

Amperex 7308 (6922) gold pin (Holland or America) (pre-amps, DACs)

Radiotechnique 6189/12AU7 (pre-amps, DACs)

Mullard CV4003/12AU7 (for drivers in my Rogue Cronus Magnum)

Raytheon or RCA 12AU7 black-plates (anywhere: very versatile tubes)

Mullard 12AX7

New production:

Tung Sol KT120 (Rogue Cronus Magnum)

Genalex KT88 Gold Lion re-issue (VAC, Music Reference amps)

Genalex KT66 Gold Lion re-issue (Quad, Rogue Cronus)

Steve · « **Reply #7 on:** 3 Dec 2013, 07:46 pm »

Lately been using the Genalex E88cc and Shuguang EL-156 with excellent success.

Cheers.

ps. Winged C 6550 as well.

carusoracer · « **Reply #8 on:** 4 Dec 2013, 03:43 pm »

61' U707 Genalex Gold Lion. Simply Magical

rollo · « **Reply #9 on:** 4 Dec 2013, 03:58 pm »

Quote from: rpf on 3 Dec 2013, 04:56 pm

NOS:

Mullard "High Wycombe" GZ34 (5AR4) (in various Modwright gear)

Mullard GZ34 metal base (in various Modwright gear)

Reflector 6H30DR (in various Modwright gear)

Amperex 7308 (6922) gold pin (Holland or America) (pre-amps, DACs)

Radiotechnique 6189/12AU7 (pre-amps, DACs)

Mullard CV4003/12AU7 (for drivers in my Rogue Cronus Magnum)

Raytheon or RCA 12AU7 black-plates (anywhere: very versatile tubes)

Mullard 12AX7

New production:

Tung Sol KT120 (Rogue Cronus Magnum)

Genalex KT88 Gold Lion re-issue (VAC, Music Reference amps)

Genalex KT66 Gold Lion re-issue (Quad, Rogue Cronus)

Well done Rob. Nice to see tubes with gear recco.

charles

Adriano · « **Reply #10 on:** 8 Dec 2013, 01:05 am »

ecc83 : 1951-1954 Philips long welded plate D getter made in Corfenhagen ecc83
ecc82 : 1953 Mullard long black welded plate square getter Blackburn ecc82
kt88 . : 1958-1964 GEC top getter KT88
el34. : 1953-1957 Philips EL34 metal base
6550. : 1957-1960 Tungsol 6550 black plate

carusoracer · « **Reply #11 on:** 10 Dec 2013, 08:33 pm »

64" ECC82 Mullard 10M Gold Pin. extraordinarily balanced with the nice amount of warmth,detail and great mid bass. Vocals are spooky.

6SN7 45' Sylvania JAN CHS short bottle

Yuriy62 · « **Reply #12 on:** 11 Dec 2013, 10:42 am »

It are pleasant to me here such 6H8C/1578 - absolutely identical triodes.

Lord Soth · « **Reply #13 on:** 13 Dec 2013, 07:20 am »

NOS TUBES

6DJ8: Pinched Waist Amperex 6922
2C51/396a: Western Electric JW-2C51 D getters
EL34: Philips Metalbase EL34
KT66: GEC Grayglass KT66
Rectifier: Brimar 5R4GY D getters

Freo-1 · « **Reply #14 on:** 23 Dec 2013, 08:38 pm »

My favorite tubes are one that provide the best bang for the buck:

1) 1625 Power Tube (A 12 volt 807 that is very high quality 6L6, only better)

http://www.sarris.info/main/files/807stc.pdf

2) 7058 (Maybe the best sounding 12AX7 type available).

Phil A · « **Reply #15 on:** 23 Dec 2013, 09:20 pm »

I like Synergy HiFi tubes - http://www.synergyhifi.com/ There's a discussion here too - http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=107968.0 I have 5AR4s in my Modwright LS36.5DM preamp and 12AU7s in my Odyssey Candela preamp and have pairs of expensive vintage things and perfer the Synergy tubes

Minn Mark · « **Reply #16 on:** 23 Dec 2013, 09:29 pm »

All time favorites:

The eustachian tubes.

Sorry, had to do it.

Happy Holidays !

Mark

Freo-1 · « **Reply #17 on:** 23 Dec 2013, 09:41 pm »

My experience with Chinese tubes has been less than stellar. Quality Control is suspect on too many for my liking (especially the power tubes!).

I'll stick with NOS tubes for the foreseeable future. When you go DIY for amps/preamps, you can use high quality tubes slightly out of the mainstream, and get maximum performance for short cash (on the tubes at least).

Transformers. Mundorf Caps, etc, not so much.

gsm18439 · « **Reply #18 on:** 24 Dec 2013, 01:16 am »

Takatsuki TA-300b. IMHO, the best contemporary 300b. . . by a lot. Unfortunately, also very expensive.

datman · « **Reply #19 on:** 24 Dec 2013, 02:13 am »

My favorites are the Russian 6H23P as a driver and the Tung-Sol KT150 as used in my new Inspire SE amp from Dennis Had.

The KT150 is an especially nice surprise. In this SE application it produces terrific bass and extremely natural mids and highs. I didn't know what to expect when I bought the amp but am very satisfied with the sound quality.