If NOS pre or power tubes became unavailable altogether, what new tubes would you buy?

Al you are not alone concerning the hum problem using the Sophia 6sn7 tube and thank you for bringing it up, I should have mentioned my experiences as well. It also happened to me several months after purchase of my first pair. Lowrider this was at the time purchased for a Supratek Syrah pre-amp. The modwright oppo cd player had the Sophias in place when I purchased and I have not had any issues as you note. After I determined it was one of the tubes causing the problem in the pre-amp, I checked on my Hickok tube tester but couldn’t determine what might be the cause. This was about 3 months after initial purchase. I called Sophia but since I didn’t purchase the 18.00 year warranty they initially said there was nothing they could do. After I balked about the price paid and the longevity Sue finally agreed to send out another pair. I subsequently had a similar hum problem with one of those tubes but after a longer period. The third pair was the charm and no problems. By that point I purchased the warranty.

Lowrider make sure you purchase the warranty and enjoy! They are quite nice tubes sonically at least.

OK jbhiller Point taken.

Chill out! It was a joke.

The Russians bought many original names, and they do not have the "tone" of true NOS.

The results of quality sound varies "all over the map" with the amp or preamp design.

What type of "tone" do you want?

What tubes did the designer use to "voice" the equipment?

Email, or talk, to the designer, or at least the factory that made your equipment.

If made in China, good luck!

You have 89 replies! Are you anywhere close to an answer?

I don't know of any modern EL84 / 6BQ5 or ECC81 / 12AT7 tubes that are close to the NOS vintage tubes from the 50s, 60s or early 70s. 

@don_c55 ,  No worries Don!  Good points.  

I think you've (and several others) have answered it by saying none of the Russian/Chinese reissues just don't measure up and aren't worth it. 

I am looking for a new tube that has some air on top, a la GE 5814as, Ciftes, etc., or at least some syrup in the midrange.  I can stick with NOS for sure.  

Simple, modify your components to work with the standard tubes.  For example, caddock resistors, better capacitors like V-Caps, Clarity, Elna, and adjust the power supply and tube voltage to your satisfaction.

Happy Modifications!