If NOS pre or power tubes became unavailable altogether, what new tubes would you buy?
Hey tuberollers,
I'm curious to see what happens if there's a gun to your head, or more practically all NOS tubes disappear (dread). What would you do with your line/pre stage and/or power stage?
I have tried 5 different NOS 12AU7s and only 1 new 12AU7 in my preamp section (Cifte, RCA black plates (late 50s), Sylvanias, Baldwin organ tubes, Amperex 70s orange globes, and new Chinese stock Primaluna tubes). In my power section, I have not tried any NOS tubes and 3 types of tubes (stock Chinese Primaluna EL34s, reissue Mullard EL34s, and reissue Gold Lion KT88s).
Side note: I haven't ventured into NOS power tubes because of the cost and availability/scarcity. I need 8 of them!
Without having tried anything else, I would be lost on new or reissue 12AU7s. On the power tube side, I'd be just fine with either the reissue Mullard EL34s or the Gold Lion KT88s.