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Where to buy decent 845 and 211 tubes?

Let’s start saying most vintage tubes from eBay are junk.... "oh we cannot test this, but this looks like new and should work" with definition of "work" meaning there is filament continuity. or the tubes "used to work a few years ago before going to storage".

Short of paying USD $2000+ for a pair of vintage RCA or United Electrics, what modern 845 and 211 tubes are worth buying. What’s your experience with their sound and longevity?

I will not buy 211 / 845 tubes that cost more than my Viva Solista, much like I would never buy a TV shelf that cost more than the TV itself.  :-)


bsimpson
essrand
295 posts
 
Elrog 211s?
https://www.elrog.com/products/
verdantaudio's avatar
verdantaudio
1,470 posts
 
What amp?   The bulk of current 845/211 production is from Shuguang or PSVane/Acme.  They make some very good products.  

Elrog I hear makes good tubes.  I have never heard them.  I am thinking about starting to carry them.  

Finally, KR produces a non-traditional 845 & 211.  The filament current on the KRs is 1.0 amps vs. 3.5 amps.  If your amp can handle them, they are pretty fantastic, but are not inexpensive.  Art Audio amps accept them without modification due to our auto bias but a lot of amps need a resistor added.  
lwin's avatar
lwin
569 posts
 
I just replaced all 4 of my Shuguang Nature Series 845 tubes on my Cary 211 AE amps with the Psvane Acme Supreme Series and they were a noticeable step up in sound quality compared to the Shuguang’s that are pretty decent tubes. I purchased them from Grant Fidelity who are always a pleasure to deal with.
limomangus's avatar
limomangus
1,195 posts
 
Alot of these vintage tubes ,theres no way to know how long they will last or if they have many hours of use.
bsimpson OP
167 posts
 
@ verdantaudio

Viva Solista.  It could accept 4 X 845, or 2 x 845 + 2 x 211
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