Tubes the many versions of the 211 what do you like

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marc513

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Tubes the many versions of the 211 what do you like
« on: 19 Jun 2025, 08:40 pm »
      I own a NAT SE2SE power amp that two 211 tubes per mono block.
I want to see what everybody’s experience is not looking at NOS tubes.
I would like to stay under 350 a pair if possible. There are just so many
Choices .I need tubes now using my back back up tubes Sino 211 low
Hours and kind of so so sound . My main tubes I used were Psvane
211 T 11 a nice tube . Just looking for some advice thanks
Marc

FullRangeMan

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Re: Tubes the many versions of the 211 what do you like
« Reply #1 on: 19 Jun 2025, 10:52 pm »
I dont know the current 211 tubes. But GE made a lot of bad valves, and in general GE were the worst American brand (commodity style tubes) but they made the best 211 and one of the best 5751. IMO

mick wolfe

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Re: Tubes the many versions of the 211 what do you like
« Reply #2 on: 20 Jun 2025, 06:27 pm »
      I own a NAT SE2SE power amp that two 211 tubes per mono block.
I want to see what everybody’s experience is not looking at NOS tubes.
I would like to stay under 350 a pair if possible. There are just so many
Choices .I need tubes now using my back back up tubes Sino 211 low
Hours and kind of so so sound . My main tubes I used were Psvane
211 T 11 a nice tube . Just looking for some advice thanks
Marc

I would probably avoid AliExpress although they do feature an endless variety of 211's. Ebay seems only slightly less risky. The safest bet within your budget may be  Amazon. They have a decent variety of 211's to choose from plus fairly liberal warranty and return options. FWIW, I've had good luck with Linlai 845DG's, but I did pay a bit more buying thru premiumvacuumtubes.com. Less expensive entry level 211's can be found at both The Tube Depot and The Tube Store. In the end, it's still a roll of the dice. Most if not all of the "affordable" transmitting tubes will be of Chinese manufacture. But as I've said, I've found them to be pretty reliable for the most part.

marc513

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Re: Tubes the many versions of the 211 what do you like
« Reply #3 on: 6 Jul 2025, 06:45 pm »
Psvane horizon series 211 tube anybody tried them ? Everybody can’t
Be using NOS 211 tubes somebody must have some opinions on the
Seemless never ending versions of this tube out there . Come on spill
Your secrets

mick wolfe

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Re: Tubes the many versions of the 211 what do you like
« Reply #4 on: Yesterday at 07:07 pm »
The problem is that 211 amps are somewhat rare compared to say 845 amps. So info is not going to be as plentiful. Your $350 budget leaves you looking at the usual suspects....entry level Shuguang, Psvane, Linlai, etc. Although my experience is with the 845 and not the 211 tube, I would recommend spending a bit more on the Linlai Global 211-DG. This solely based on my experience with the Linlai 845-DG. So take that for what it's worth. Prices at Premium Vacuum Tubes start at $545 for a pair.

FullRangeMan

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Re: Tubes the many versions of the 211 what do you like
« Reply #5 on: Today at 12:44 am »
At audiophile prices there is the ELROG 211
At ER211................€ 1.700,-- / matched pair
Unfortunately its only 75W plate dissipation.
https://www.elrog.com/products/
Gulp !

On the other side, surprisingly there is a LinLai 211 pair said as New for only US $136.66 in Ebay  :scratch:

vintage9594

Re: Tubes the many versions of the 211 what do you like
« Reply #6 on: Today at 01:03 am »
I currently use Amperex 211’s with the bronze metal bases and have a NOS pair of GE211’s There is a sizable difference in the sound between these two.  Current models can’t hang with these in opinion.