[6BQ5]

I notice on the RAM Labs site that the current RAM offering for EL84's - 6BQ5 is identified as Russian made tube (perhaps SOVTEK?).

I'm curious whether these new TAD tube are the same?
Like this one...
http://www.cryoset.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=22_37&products_id=247&osCsid=3f41445796dee757a4b479172673dcfb
Which is actually a 6N14N-EB - supposedly Russian.

Or this one ...
http://www.cryoset.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=22_37&products_id=175&osCsid=3f41445796dee757a4b479172673dcfb
Which is actually a TAD-EL84-STR - also Russian made supposedly.

Or ...
None of the above.

My RM-10 currently uses 4 RAM EL84 tubes but am unsure of their origin. I also wonder if the above would be inter-changeable?
I would NOT buy the above CRYO versions though, I think cryo'd tubes are a waste of money. The TAD tubes above seem to be getting good reviews especially the STR one.

[K.C.]

My original RM-10 is still running original tubes. I assume they're the same as yours.

http://www.tubeaudiostore.com/6bq5.html

[Roger A. Modjeski]

Cryo tubes make me  . They are a total waste of money and about the most foolish thing I can imagine. 

[6BQ5]

Roger, these are also available in non-cryo version. Why am I not surprised that you focused on the cryo aspect?

Here's a link to the non-cryo version. Seems to be well constructed. Have you ever tried to test these?
http://thetubestore.com/tadel84.html

[Roger A. Modjeski]

Thanks for the link.

This tube appears to be a standard Chinese 6BQ5 by all it's physical characteristics. I have an identical Chinese standard 6BQ5 in my hand as I write this.