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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.
nab2
wolf_garcia
6,794 posts
 
After rolling in tubes for years (painful): I currently love (and yes, it is actual love) the new Gold Lion 12AX7s, the Tung Sol (Russian) KT150s, and NOS Mullard 12AT7s, and am also an idiot. Wait…I mean I'm also NOT an idiot…and all of the above mentioned tubes are not idiotically expensive as far as these things go.
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
10,254 posts
 
wolf, where do you recommend going for the Mullard 12AT7's?
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,891 posts
 
You should check out the GE 6DJ8 . I like these tubes and they will not cost you an arm and a leg. I use all GE preamp  tubes,12ax7,12at7,12au7,etc.  I like the ones from the 50's and 60's the best!
jadedavid
76 posts
 
Put the Russian's in and see what you think. It's system synergy that we all search for with all of our equipment/part choices.
What works for you may not be good for someone else.
Consider tubes in audio like spices in cooking. Different tubes will give you a different "flavor".
Is that "flavor" good, better, or bad? That is a subjective choice.
I would suggest, that as your budget allows, buy a replacement set of tubes that you are interested in trying. See if you like them. If so, great. If not you can always sell them and recover most of your original purchase price.
I have a very extensive collection of tubes and can tell you that even within the same family I.E. GE, RCA, ETC, there are many differences in sound.
Depending on what flavor you are searching for will determine your choice.
Most of all, have fun with it and trust YOUR ears.
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