J.D.
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 24, 2006
- Messages
- 10,033
Seems there are a number of decent new production tubes available at reasonable prices from reputable vendors who further match and screen them. I've been buying some different brands and flavors and having a blast listening to the subtle but audible tone differences, similar to pickup swapping in some respects. I'm playing in the 12ax7 preamp and EL34/6CA7 power tube types.
I'm surprised to say the Groove Tubes and similar rebranded Chinese Shuguang 12ax7s sound really great from both tone and noise perspectives, as do their EL34-Ms. Maybe it's just a familiar sound to me. Electro Harmonix big bottle 6CA7s and Mullard reissue EL34s sounded excellent to my ears as well. Not really impressed with some of the JJ and Sovtek preamp tubes I've tried.
The =C= EL34 used to be my go to power tube years ago but the cost has really increased, and what I've read is the current production is a different tube. Lot of good old tubes also available but I've stayed out of that segment for now.
Anyone else tube rolling?
I'm surprised to say the Groove Tubes and similar rebranded Chinese Shuguang 12ax7s sound really great from both tone and noise perspectives, as do their EL34-Ms. Maybe it's just a familiar sound to me. Electro Harmonix big bottle 6CA7s and Mullard reissue EL34s sounded excellent to my ears as well. Not really impressed with some of the JJ and Sovtek preamp tubes I've tried.
The =C= EL34 used to be my go to power tube years ago but the cost has really increased, and what I've read is the current production is a different tube. Lot of good old tubes also available but I've stayed out of that segment for now.
Anyone else tube rolling?