[borism]

Briefly, I built a Bottlehead Stereomour about 18 months ago. It came with Sovtek 2A3s and while I liked the sound, I proceeded to upgrade with a pair of JJ 2A3-40s. This was a significant improvement with more delicate and spacious sound. However, one of the JJs failed within 90 days and needed to be replaced. The replacement failed within 2 weeks. The failures were not catastrophic by any means. It manifested itself in a loss of power of the tube with the center image shifting to the other side. In both instances Eurotubes, the vendor, was great and honored the warranty after testing the faulty tubes.

The pair has now lasted more than a year without issue. However, more recently, one tube has started getting noisy. I noticed a hum coming from one channel that could not be controlled by adjusting the hum-pot. It is not as noticeable while music is playing but it is annoying nevertheless.

This started me thinking about other tube options for the future. I still love the JJs but believe that they may have some quality control issues. Doing some limited research I came up with Shuguang 2A3 c-t (Amazon $280), Psvane 2A3 t2 (Grant Fidelity $300), Psvane WR 2A3 (GF $400) and the most pricy option of EML 2A3s ($560).

As you can see it is getting quite expensive and I would like something reliable that will possibly last for a couple of years. My use is about 3-4 hours daily and somewhat more on weekends. Of note, I do have another amplifier that gets use, so that the total number of hours per year is not extreme.



Any ideas are welcome!

[Hugh]

From our own findings, get either of these (dependent of your budget) RCA 2A3 or KR Audio 2A3,

[Mijknarf]

For what it's worth, I've used Shuguang 2A3C tubes for 4 years without issue.  My weekly listening time is similar to yours.  I have wanted to try the JJ tubes, but haven't pulled the trigger yet.

[borism]

Thanks for the ideas.

Hugh, is the KR significantly better than the EML? There is a great price difference.

Mijknarf, I have read some good things about the Shuguang and from your experience they seem dependable.

[Hugh]

I am not sure how significant it'd be since we never tried the EML.

For the money, the RCA is the best bet.

Thanks for the ideas.

Hugh, is the KR significantly better than the EML? There is a great price difference.

Mijknarf, I have read some good things about the Shuguang and from your experience they seem dependable.

[borism]

I found some NOS RCA 2A3 black plates offered by reputable dealers. Are they comparable in sound quality to the new production tubes like the JJs?
With small signal tubes I would have no hesitation about NOS tubes but I have no experience with NOS power tubes like 2A3s.

[Hugh]

Way better.

The RCA is smoother than any other 2A3 tubes I've heard.
The KR Audio one got a little more punch than the RCA.

I found some NOS RCA 2A3 black plates offered by reputable dealers. Are they comparable in sound quality to the new production tubes like the JJs?
With small signal tubes I would have no hesitation about NOS tubes but I have no experience with NOS power tubes like 2A3s.

[Audioclyde]

I really liked the Psvane Western Electric replicas when I was running 2A3's, but some have reported reliability issues with at least one of the versions.

Another favorite that I preferred over the many NOS I tried (I never spent the big $ for single plate NOS) was the Sophia Elecric 300B 2.5 volt--it seemed like a a nice mix of 300B and 2A3 attributes.

[Fourlegsgood]

I have been using the Psvane 2A3 HiFi series for about a year now. Listening about 8hrs per day. The only issue I had with one was the heater would randomly cut out. I returned it and the seller found it was a bad solder to the pin. Resoldered and all OK now.

I use four of these in each of my monoblocs and so I am very aware of value for money as I require eight of them. Also, my 2A3s are positioned quite close to each other so I can't go with a glass diameter that is any wider than standard.

I really like the Psvane 2A3 HiFi series. Good bass, good separation of instruments and mid range and top end not strident or harsh. All in all I would have no hesitation in recommending them. I am lucky in that I work from home and get to listen to my hifi all day. All I can say is that I just love listening to the Psvane 2A3 valves (I know you call them tubes but you know what I mean) all day long and never feel like turning it off like you do with some systems after very long listening.

I have been hugely impressed with the Psvane 12AU7 TII series and also the Psvane CV181 TII series and this has got me wondering whether I would get the same improvement by going to the Psvane 2A3 TII.

[Fourlegsgood]

[borism]

Thanks for the good suggestions. I get confused with all the different Chinese offerings: Shuguang, Sophia, TJ, Psvane and I am concerned about reliability. However, I have used some Shuguang 6SN7 and also Psvane CV 181 T tubes in another pre/amp combination without any issues.

[Hugh]

Shuguang and TJ Full Music are 2 long time tube companies/factories.
Psvane was formed from a group of Shuguang engineers along with, if my memory served me, Grant Fidelity, and I believe they bought out the old Guguang (sp) factory.
Sophia is TJ OEM tubes.

Thanks for the good suggestions. I get confused with all the different Chinese offerings: Shuguang, Sophia, TJ, Psvane and I am concerned about reliability. However, I have used some Shuguang 6SN7 and also Psvane CV 181 T tubes in another pre/amp combination without any issues.

[Triode Pete]

Thanks for the good suggestions. I get confused with all the different Chinese offerings: Shuguang, Sophia, TJ, Psvane and I am concerned about reliability. However, I have used some Shuguang 6SN7 and also Psvane CV 181 T tubes in another pre/amp combination without any issues.

Hi Boris,
If you're concerned about reliability, get a used (that tests strong) or NOS pair of US-made 2A3 tubes. They are the original 2A3! I agree with Hugh - you can't go wrong with RCA (I like black plates best, but all versions sound great). My favorites are the Sylvania 2A3 with coil-spring tops rather than a filament suspension  (left tube is spring / right tube is suspension) ...


Also Ken-Rad with smoked glass sound great...

Many "off brands" were made by RCA & re-branded. You can tell by looking at the plate & filament structure. They are often priced "right".

The closest sounding to original USA-made tubes is the Russian-made Electro Harmonix Gold grid 2A3... sounds pretty good & is stable...

My $0.02,
Pete

[Hugh]

What HE said.

Hi Boris,
If you're concerned about reliability, get a used (that tests strong) or NOS pair of US-made 2A3 tubes. They are the original 2A3! I agree with Hugh - you can't go wrong with RCA (I like black plates best, but all versions sound great). My favorites are the Sylvania 2A3 with coil-spring tops rather than a filament suspension  (left tube is spring / right tube is suspension) ...


Also Ken-Rad with smoked glass sound great...

Many "off brands" were made by RCA & re-branded. You can tell by looking at the plate & filament structure. They are often priced "right".

The closest sounding to original USA-made tubes is the Russian-made Electro Harmonix Gold grid 2A3... sounds pretty good & is stable...

My $0.02,
Pete

[Poultrygeist]

I've used these Shuguang 2a3c for 4+ years. In my Bottleheads i prefer them over my vintage RCA's. I've had two JJ EL-84's to fail in another amp so I don't buy JJ's anymore. The Psvanes were made by Shuguang. Don't know if that's still the case.

[borism]

This is an update of my 2A3 search. Well, I looked for RCA black plates and found Brent Jessee to have some with spring suspension but at $400 a pair. So, realizing that the difference to new EML 2A3 solid plates was not that large, I decided to go with them. They have great feedback on the net and also offer an extended 18 month warranty.

I received them very quickly from George Lenz, the NY distributor, who decided to sell them to me only after checking with the company for compatibility with my amplifier. That was actually very reassuring. He also retests all tubes after he receives them and listens to them in his amplifier. Apparently, he also builds amplifiers.

I now have about 40 hrs on the tubes. During the initial set up the EMLs proved to be the quietest 2A3s in my amplifier so far. I was able to adjust the hum pot to 0.6 mV. Sound wise they seem to be equal and better to the JJs. They are dynamic, with extended highs and bass. In addition, they seem more delicate and refined.

So far, I really like them but only time can tell how reliable the EMLs will turn out to be. Thanks all for your input!




   

[arthurs]

I also have EML solids, sound great no problems after 3 months.  Pete, message me a good source for Sylvania if you know of one...   Hugh, just send me RCA tubes

[Hugh]

Art,

YOU deserve some KRs.

I also have EML solids, sound great no problems after 3 months.  Pete, message me a good source for Sylvania if you know of one...   Hugh, just send me RCA tubes

[arthurs]

Send me a mail if you have some...they can go in here

[arthurs]