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Russian Tubes or Old "American" Tubes (built where ever)?

Currently I have Aperex ECC88 tubes in a CJ 17 LS pre-amp and a backup set of Russian electro-harmonix 6922EH tubes for the pre-amp. The Aperex tubes are failing. The amps are solid state Mac 601's

What type of tubes (manufacturers/time period) would you guys recommend? Are the Russian tubes any good? Buying legacy tubes from 50 years ago gets expensive. I'm looking for a great price/performance ratio, but I lean toward performance. Do the Russian Tubes compete with the old tubes or should I "bite the bullet"?

I know folks can get passionate about this - I'm not an idiot; I would like to hear some experienced opinions about the relative merit of various tubes for this particular pre-amp. I'll then go check my budget (in secret - I'm married).

Thanks.
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lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 
Brent Jesse is dealer who has a very good page with a description of the sonics of each brand plus tube substitutes.

http://www.audiotubes.com/6dj8.htm
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
Brent Jesse and Jim McShane both reliable vendors.  Others swear by Andy at Vintage Tube Services.  As far as US brands, just beware that many companies like GE and RCA and Admiral etc., made tubes and also rebranded tubes from other manufacturers.  And as far as ebay is concerned, be afraid, be very afraid!  No matter how good the feedback, once I got a tube tester, I found that less than 50% were as advertised. 
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nab2 OP
61 posts
 
Thanks guys - good info.
ebm
9,311 posts
 
Andy Vintage Tube Services great american and English tubes the best better than USSR.

wolf_garcia
6,697 posts
 
I buy small preamp type tubes, matched and balanced, 12AX7s and 12At7s generally, from familiar dealers (thetubestore, Upscale), but the KT120s and KT150s as "factory" matched quads have served me well from Ebay sellers. If they tested poorly or had to be returned to those sellers, it would result in poor ratings unlike the 100% positive ratings of the dealers I use. 
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