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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.  
jbhiller
rauliruegas
13,129 posts
 
Dear @tubegroover : """   your facts are not mine... """

my only fact/target is: reproduce the nearest live MUSIC experience trhough my home audio system. 

I can understand that your is different and I can't disagree with because is a self human been privilege.

R.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,418 posts
 
@almarg , thanks for the additional info. It’s good to know that heater-to-cathode leakage is not influenced by voltage, since I’m considering trying the Sophia’s in my preamp.

Al, although the high sensitivity of your speakers reveal the issue with hum, the specs of these tubes don’t lie.
Specs is the wrong term; I should have stated "measurements" since you knew about Ralph’s criteria in this area. I did look at the GE datasheet and saw that Sophia was comparing their tube to a well known NOS tube’s specs. To be honest, I never heard of heater-to-cathode leakage until your findings.
almarg's avatar
almarg
9,670 posts
 
Thanks, Lowrider.  Speaking of terminology, I should be more precise with my own.  The number of megohms (millions of ohms) that I referred to as heater-to-cathode leakage is more properly referred to as heater-to-cathode resistance.  "Leakage" would more properly refer to the amount of current that would be conducted by that resistance under a given voltage condition.

Best regards,
-- Al
   
don_c55
1,025 posts
 
If the sun went into super nova, and wiped out all life on earth, what music would you listen to?

Similar STUPID question!
jbhiller's avatar
jbhiller OP
1,446 posts
 
@don_c55 ,  No, the question is not trying to get at hypotheticals.  It was asking folks who prefer NOS tubes what they would buy from the selection of new tubes.  Perhaps, I could've phrased it differently (i.e. What new, non-NOS, tubes do you like the best next to NOS?)  

What gives with all of the hostility and argumentativeness?  Why take the time to tell people their question is "stupid"?  Why try to change the subject of the forum thread?  I just don't get it.  

For those of us in the hobby who want and enjoy the exchange of information, these types of responses do not do anything meaningful to advance the discussion or create/propel curiosity.  
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