I just installed NOS tubes?

I have always found the stock tubes performed the best overall. Different tubes sounded, well, just that, different, a little more of this or a little less of that, but in the end I went back to the tubes the unit was designed around. Others I am sure will disagree with me but this has been my experience.

Chuck

Most line level tubes that I've tried seem to take around 50 hours (some more, many less) to stabilize. Chuck certainly has a point. Depending on the surrounding passive components, the preferred tube could be the tubes supplied by the manufacturer. However, in general, I've not found this to be the case with the components that I've owned over the years. Most new production tubes rarely have the sonics that I tend to prefer nor the longevity of NOS. Remember, it's all about synergy. Your tube preferences now can change as other components in your system change. That's what makes tube rolling so much fun. Good luck.

I just put NOS 7308's in my VK-30 about two months ago. It took a week for them to really smooth out and open up. Bass also recovered somewhat, but it's still not as tight as with stock Sovtek's. The highs and mids, however, are really glorious--so open, so smooth, so much air and dimensionality to the music.

By the way, where did you get them and, if it's not too much to ask, what did you pay? I searched a long time and ended up paying a lot for three matched pairs--$800. But then, I have also paid almost a grand for a couple of three foot long wires that just sit there passing a signal. The tubes are an active device, which makes them far more important to the overall sound. You'll see--just wait a bit and keep 'em playing, or at least in standby mode.

You should hear a difference immediately. I use this tube too in my VK-30. (Amperex 7308 white and orange labels).

-Ed