Tube Matching Primer

Hi, Ozfly:
In all applications matching matters. Microphonics doesn't matter in CDPs, but does matter in pre-amp tubes. You want quiet tubes in your pre-amp. If you have tubed CDP, pre-amp & amp, suggest using very linear tubes in the CDP, and fine-tuning the output signal via pre-amp, driver and power tubes.
Jay

Thanks Jay. I assume "very linear tubes" are those with a wide, even frequency response and the only way to test that is with your ears, which is what I'm doing (it's really kind of fun).

Any advice on tube matching? I read a lot about tube matching and I'm not sure how to match, what the numbers mean, what the acceptable tolerances are and so forth. Any insight and advice would be appreciated from the community.

Hi, Ozfly:
Wish I could help you, but I don't know how to read the numbers. Hopefully, someone reading this will educate us both.
Best wishes,
Jay

As far as reading the numbers and matching goes,
I believe thay have to be tested on the same tester to match do to the calibration of the tester.

I think that different brands of testers have their own rating tables as far as a bad, good and tests as new.

I'm sure that other members here with more experience than I will be posting soon to help you.

As stated in previous post, microphonics will show up if used in a preamp. A tube can test as new, but have very bad microphonics. Try and buy from someone that actually tests for that if buying tubes for your pre, I learned the hard way!