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Constant noisy tubes maybe go solid state?

I have a Quicksilver Line Stage Preamp (12AT7) mated to an Odyssey Khartago Stereo. Overall I like it. Way too much gain but I digress. Weeks after receiving it I rolled in a few different tubes, kinda fun to color the sound signature. I liked rhe RXA black plates I got and those stuck around for more than a year. They started going microphonic and making noises so I ordered another pair (noisy) then another different vendor (blasts of white noise) and another set that arrived today (one is noisy as holy hell and one seems fine).

So where does one order preamp quality tunes that are quiet? Is there something I’m not requesting when ordering? Maybe dump
snd go solid state? I’m trying to be humorous because I’m pissed. Ha.
gochurchgo
daveyf's avatar
daveyf
2,836 posts
 
Many of these tubes are what are considered 'pulls'. IOW, they are tubes that have been used for years in some piece of gear and have been removed to now be sold as NOS tubes. Nothing wrong with this IMO, so long as the tube is tested and correctly disclosed as a) used and b) tested to be sure it works to spec.
I currently have some Telefunkens that are labeled as Dynaco and have obviously been 'pulled' from a Dynaco kit. They sound great, are made by Telefunken in Germany and are perfectly good as to test etc.
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cleeds
5,710 posts
 
daveyf
... these tubes are what are considered 'pulls'. IOW, they are tubes that have been used for years in some piece of gear and have been removed to now be sold as NOS tubes. Nothing wrong with this IMO ...
There is something very wrong with that. "NOS" means "New Old Stock." If the tube is used, it definitely isn't NOS.
mozartfan
2,143 posts
 
Big mistake going Solid state.
I am in the process of wrapping up a  upgrade on all resistors in my Jadis DPL linestage, 
The stock Jadis metal oxide are quite good actuallly, But the Takman Rey's are far superior, Huge gains on sonic performance. 

I'd say take all res in the quicksilver and swap out to Takman Rey's, start with main res 1st.
Richard swaped out in stages, 
Will post a  YT vid shortly showing off this upgrade.
If you can, go with Tele 12AX7 vs the RCA blackplates.
also upgrade your interconnects to navships. 
Recap with Mundorf EVO SG or Supreme EVO SGO.


mozartfan
2,143 posts
 
tube is used, it definitely isn't NOS.



^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
True, but NOS are really hard to find and are quite expensive,
I always go with very strong/strong Old Stock. = Near NOS range. 

aj523
360 posts
 
Any opinions on Tube Depot?

And can I please get educated on what add on options on tubes mean like
balanced triode
high gain
low noise and microphonic?
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