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Tubes for Cary V12 amps.

I have a few Cary V12 amps. When I bought them they came from the factory with Ruby EL 34's.  I have tried Winged C's, Electro Harmonix and JJ EL-34's and I have lot liked them as much as the Ruby's. I did ask Cary about the Ruby tubes. They said they designed the amp using those tubes and that is probably why the amp sounded best with those tubes.  So I have stuck with the Ruby's since (Ruby EL-34 BHT). But when I went to reorder the 36 tubes I need for the three amps I was told that the factory that produces the Ruby tubes in China had a fire and isn't currently making tubes and there are very few out there to be found. Also no word on when production will resume.

Anyone out there have any luck with tubes other than those I mentioned (Winged C's, Electro Harmonix and JJ) ?
whataboutbob1
jond's avatar
jond
5,882 posts
 
@decooney I hear you I decided to enter the world of EL34 tubes when I had a Western Electric 300B flame out on me. I vowed to never have that type of audio pain again. ;)
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johnss
581 posts
 
@whataboutbob1, I have a pair of the V-12s among other amps. Shuguang tube factory had a fire in the building next door to them, not their factory. For some reason the local govt would not let them re-open, so they decided to move the factory to a larger location. No real date I have heard on when Shuguang will start producing valves again. 

Would suggest you try the PSVANE UK grade of EL34s. Very musical tube. if you find any Shuguang tubes on ebay or on the net, they are over two years old, so likely old inventory, or 2nds  that some re-seller picked up. 
jond's avatar
jond
5,882 posts
 
I don't know specifically what PSvane UK grade means but I had a set of PSvane Phillips Reproduction EL34's briefly and they were unacceptably bright. Fancy packaging but not good tubes.
oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
Same here on PSVANE power valves. Their 12AX7, AT and AU were interesting too. Took 50 plus hours to settle in enough to tolerate and another 50 to find out they are a bright valve.

They remind me of Sylvania valves.. Great for a tired amp, but a fresh amp with good resistors and caps.. Bright does come to mind..

All the V12 guys, a question. Do all of you run all 12 valves? And if you do have you tried fewer valves?

It is quit an eye opener and can really cool a room down..  50 years with valves and 35 valve amps 8 different kinds.

Did you fix the PS and add Hexfreds and swap out the caps.. THAT changes the type of valves you can use..

One is my own convulsion in progress from SIXPacs. I feel a Grand Mal coming on.. 50 to 100 watts increase with a toggle switch, two wires a .22uf/900v cap. A B- filter fix and signal cap swap with Frequency collection .01uf 630 cap caps added. CLOSE to MY V12r, now..

Regards
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