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5.67.14.107
This is a very US - centric forum. Nothing wrong with that, but on the Tubes Asylum almost all the threads are about US tubes - specifically post WW2 octal and 9 pin tubes. Quite a monopoly.
But those of us in Europe have quite a different choice of tubes - for instance all the tubes with side contact, Y8A, B4, B5 and B7 bases. And there were a lot of them, many superior to the later US varieties.
So who uses European tubes? For instance I use AZ1 mesh rectifiers, but there are many more.
Follow Ups:
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The PX4 is a very nice tube by reputation. There's TJ Fullmusic new production version with 15W dissipation. So is it any better than a 2a3 sound-wise? All the versions, NOS or new, are very expensive, so it would need to sound superior to a 2a3 to have any viability.
The PX25 has brilliant specifications - better than the 300b. So why did it die out and the 300b become so influential? There are KR and TJ versions, but again very expensive compared with 300b.
My PX4 is ST shape, nickel plate.
I also have a pair of Cunningham mono plate 2A3.
After years of comparison, ECC35 direct couple to both, I prefer px4.
thicker and warmer tone.
If you happen to like Ortofon SPU, you will get what I mean.
Mono plate 2A3 is a fantastic tube. It is really the king of 2A3.
I like it but I still prefer px4 for her midrange glory.
Going over the data sheet, the 300B has higher ratings, and comparable linearity. Plus it doesn't have the hard to find socket.And, the 300B didn't die out because it continued to be made through the 80s for replacement use in the AT&T telephone network, whereas the PX25 had a much shorter original production life.
The PX25 looks more comparable to the US type 50, than to the 300B in terms of performance.
What am I missing?
Edits: 10/14/21
Interesting piece of history - so that's what kept the 300b alive.What kept the 2a3 alive? That is still made in decent numbers?
Ah - these legendary tubes - PX4, PX25, AD1, 50.... Nothing saved them even though they sounded great.
Edits: 10/14/21
2A3 was made in massive quantities for replacements in radios and amplifiers, probably also some military use. Still fairly easy to find on the used or NOS market.
Those vintage UK tubes you're talking about are rare and precious. The closest thing I have is a pair of original GEC KT66. Absolutely beautiful tubes, I hope I can find another pair some day!
Hi Andy,
Tomorrow I have the last part coming for my monoblocks. I am using the Valvo Aa as a driver for the EML50. The challenge will be the Aa has an Rp = 30K and I am using a 1:1 (5K) IT. I should know more tomorrow on how it sounds. If the IT is a mismatch, then an RC will be used in lieu of the IT.
The rectifier is NOS Telefunken RGN2064. SUPER awesome rectifier. Don't plan on going back to anything else. It really changed my sound when replacing the 5Z3 and 83 rectifiers. MUCH improved 3D soundstage, openness and transparency. And, the bite / attack I was missing for so long.
Pat
Do you mean a RGN1064? I have one of those in mesh, similar to AZ1 and AZ11 in mesh.
Perfect for a driver stage. Bit low power for an output stage.
Check that, RGN2004. Fantastic rectifier.
When I have all my gear turned on, I have 27 tubes burning. 25 of them are European. The only two American tubes are my NOS United 845s.
in time you can change them, if you like, for the gm70
I use mostly European tubes, and some Russian.
For guitar, mostly ecc83 and ecc81 and power tubes EL34.
For audio, e88cc, ec8010, e55L, SV811 and SV572 but also El34, KT88 and even a 6c33
Sometimes a American 5687 but i have also the ECC182. I also use the russian 2A3 single plate.I forgot my gm70
Edits: 10/11/21
I'm not familiar with any of the tubes you mention. Are you referring to "tube gear" that perhaps is more geographically common? Or are those that you mention easily interchangeable with all gear.
Just curious.
Thanks!
Jonesy
"I know just enough to get into trouble. But not enough to get out of it."
In Europe in the 1930s they used side contact, Y8A, B4, B5 and B7 bases, even some rare Mazda bases. So no way of just rolling those old tubes in octal or 9 pin sockets. Like I said, Head-Fi members went through a vogue of using adapters for EL12 and EL11 tubes.I doubt that many European tubes like the above ever crossed the Atlantic, hence they remain under the radar and never come up in forums.
Edits: 10/09/21
Let me see.
EI KT90, GEC KT66, Mullard EL34, Siemens and Amperex 6922, Telefunken 12ax7, Tungsram , Phillips, Brimar, RFT......
Yeah I seem to have a few (hundred) European tubes in my stash. What do you want to talk about?
Edits: 10/07/21
No interest in the older tubes - side contact, Y8A, B4, B5, B7 bases?
EL11 and EL12 are very good, for instance. But strictly for the DIY crowd. You need the old bases.
On Head-Fi there was a vogue of using adapters with EL11 and EL12.
Mullard ECC35 CV569s (hope I never run out!) and RFT EZ81s. Also, sometimes older-dated SED Wing "C" 6550s.
I have a lot of nice Euro made tubes of the more common variety.
Chris
To be fair, the KT88 and EL34 and EL84 are all not originally American tubes despite the socket compatibility, and together probably represent the majority of power tubes used in new amplifiers.That said I'm curious how an EL41 amplifier would work out. Aside from the EL156, are there really any big European audio tubes out there which are under the radar?
Edits: 10/05/21
~!
The Mind has No Firewall~ U.S. Army War College.
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