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Type 45 tube comparison

146.145.36.41
Posted on October 30, 2009 at 10:17:59
slownlo
Audiophile

Posts: 1067
Joined: October 11, 2003

45 tubes are getting scarce, ...

I was looking at the TJ Full Music 45/n spec sheet and as far as I can tell, accept for internal structure, spec wise it seems to meet all voltage, current, capacitance, curves, etc... ratings just like a NOS 45...and they come in carbon and mesh plates...(slurp!)

Has anyone compared these to NOS 45's? and if so,...are they worth taking a look at or are they just 2A3's on steroids?

I kinda like the (look of the) mesh plate ones,......

Thanks,
Slo

RE: Type 45 tube comparison, posted on November 2, 2009 at 13:34:56
Ed Sawyer
Audiophile

Posts: 2158
Joined: November 3, 2000
 I've always liked the EML (Solid plate) 45s. They are pricey, but sonically they pretty much beat up on most or all NOS versions in my gear. And I have a fairly wide variety of NOS stuff to compare with. I should really sell off some of them, as I basically don't use them anymore (vintage 45s).
-Ed
Ever tried Raytheon ST's? nt, posted on November 2, 2009 at 21:08:18
kurt s
Audiophile

Posts: 69
Joined: October 12, 2009
 I found I like those the best; new or old production, globe, ST, or whatever. Definitely my favorite of all time. And can be had relatively cheap most often. But I can only vouch for the yellow printed ones.

-kurt

PS - not anymore. :-)

RE: Ever tried Raytheon STs?, posted on November 4, 2009 at 06:55:14
Palustris
Audiophile

Posts: 251
Location: Cape Cod
Joined: September 12, 2008
 I like the Raytheon 6B4s. They are the only ones with two separate 45 type plates.
RE: Type 45 tube comparison, posted on October 30, 2009 at 17:43:01
Kiwi Brian
Audiophile

Posts: 263
Location: Auckland
Joined: December 26, 2004
 I run these in my 5842 IT 45 amp. I prefer the TJ Mesh to the only pair of NOS 45 I've got - Tung Sols. Not a massive difference, but I always end up going back to the TJ's. Tung Sols sound a little harder/harsher and a little less convincing in the midrange.

YMMV
B

RE: Type 45 tube comparison, posted on October 31, 2009 at 10:47:18
slownlo
Audiophile

Posts: 1067
Joined: October 11, 2003
 My logic is that with all the advancements in material technology and manufacturing processes, etc...modern tubes "should" be better than NOS types...granted, the way tubes are actually made hasn't changed since the beginning, but I would think plate structures and materials would have advanced lending an advantage to tubes in current manufacture...

I'm also led to believe that the whole "NOS tubes are better" fetish is based on rarity/nostalgia, and not actually "measured performance"....

I can remember reading a tube comparison done for 300B's where the NOS WE 300B's didn't come out on top (they were 3rd place)....the current production JJ Tesla 300B's won first place, and the EH 300B Gold grids came in 2nd!

RE: Type 45 tube comparison, posted on October 30, 2009 at 16:39:08
amioutaline?
Audiophile

Posts: 309
Location: Great Smoky Mountains
Joined: August 29, 2008
 Those 'mesh plates' are actually perforated solid plates. Does it make a difference?

Haven't tried TJ 45s but had their 'mesh' 2A3s in my Paramours; more detailed but drier than the stock Shuguang brown base.

I had the Yamamoto recommended EML solids in my 45 amp (Tuckers Simple 45 with upgraded CCS, direct-coupled parafeed)for awhile and they were somewhat brighter-sounding, much as my engraved base National Unions are, compared to my usual RCA Cunningham engraved base.

I've bought all my 45s on E-Bay altho none lately, but it seems there are always some available and the prices not much higher than 1, 2 or 3 years ago.


RE: Type 45 tube comparison, posted on October 30, 2009 at 13:27:45
dave slagle
Manufacturer

Posts: 3199
Location: NYC
Joined: April 27, 2001




Take a look at their published curves for the 50. Look like any other tube you can think of?

dave

RE: Type 45 tube comparison, posted on October 30, 2009 at 13:51:25
slownlo
Audiophile

Posts: 1067
Joined: October 11, 2003
 Looks like a dead wringer for a 300B...

too much mu...., posted on November 3, 2009 at 21:01:47
JeffreyJ
Manufacturer

Posts: 549
Joined: January 10, 2001
 I can't believe they even publish those curves...

but it does make me want to try one into a 4:1 to drive A2....

Peace,
Me

RE: Type 45 tube comparison, posted on October 30, 2009 at 15:48:46
bfranchuk@jetnet.ab.ca
 Forget the 300B's ... I want 45's. How many dollars each is what I want to
know and where in the USA.
RE: Type 45 tube comparison, posted on October 30, 2009 at 16:16:39
slownlo
Audiophile

Posts: 1067
Joined: October 11, 2003
 I usually get all my tubes from here...
They have a bunch of options for type 45's...

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