[fado]

The old metal base GZ34 Mullard type tubes are often referred to as the "Holy Grail" and now command hellish high prices. I see more and more references to newer tube manufacturers and careful quality control procedures so I am wondering if equal or better tubes are on the horizon and we can move on to a saner world.

Does anyone know if there are new GZ34/5AR4 tubes that experienced audiophiles consider to be equal to the NOS GZ34's?

Thank You

[Guy 13]

The old metal base GZ34 Mullard type tubes are often referred to as the "Holy Grail" and now command hellish high prices. I see more and more references to newer tube manufacturers and careful quality control procedures so I am wondering if equal or better tubes are on the horizon and we can move on to a saner world.

Does anyone know if there are new GZ34/5AR4 tubes that experienced audiophiles consider to be equal to the NOS GZ34's?

Thank You

Hi fado.
For what it's worth and hopefully I am not completely out of topic,
 I have two Sovtek 5AR4 and one RCA 5U4G and one Raytheon 5U4G
and I cannot tell the difference sound quality wise on my Decware SE84C+ but that's me,
I am sure 99.999% of the AC members will disagree with me.
Well, that won't be the first time, neither the last time.
I think, well, I am sure the pre-amp and the power tubes makes much more difference
depending on the brand and production year.
Yes, the tube manufacturers are improving the quality of their products,
but the prices are going up faster than the quality.
That's what I think, don't agree with me, let me know.

Guy 13
 

[parr3n1]

I think a lot has to do with the amp/preamp you are rolling
tubes with. Some designs don't respond as much as others.
It also has to do with how resolute your system is. Also tube
 testing that is accurate is a must, Roger Modjeski
of Music Reference proved that to me.

[DaveC113]

I do think there's some good new tubes being produced but quality control often seems to be an issue, I'd thoroughly research any options. Seems like the prices for the higher end new tubes are just as ridiculous as some of the good NOS options sometimes as well, for 6SN7s I will stick with (N)OS... I bought a few Mullard 5ar4s some years ago as there was no good new options but that might have changed, idk. I do know the prices of those tubes has increased by quite a bit since I bought them, those metal base 5ar4 must be a fortune by now.

[rockadanny]

I don't think I believe in "Holy Grail" tubes, not at this point anyway. IMO, the "Holy Grail" tube is the one that sounds best in your system, which is highly dependent on everything else in your system. For example, I inserted a pair of very well regarded NOS tubes into my preamp. I ended up preferring a pair of far more common tubes (far less expensive), because I liked the way they made my system sound far better than the more sought after pair. Who knows, with different power amps, power tubes, rectifier tube, power amp circuit, preamp circuit, interconnects, source, speaker wire, power cords, speakers, crossover circuit, room, music, etc., I might have preferred the ones which were far more sought after?