2. amps-preamps
  3. 183032-137490

Tube rolling newbie- how to choose NOS tubes

I’ve purchased a xDuoo TA-30 dac/amp for my first tube rolling experience. From online reviews, I plan to tube roll in a Matched Pair of Mullard 12AU7.

Looking online, there are new reissued Mullard 12AU7, matching NOS tubes at various price points, years, features (like long plates?), and used tubes like on eBay.. This is confusing, how do I choose? Should the tubes be tested? Who should I purchase from?

 

kennyc
facten
2,882 posts
 

"To void risk of being skimmed, buy current tubes."

Buy from credible vendors and you don't have to worry about it

curiousjim's avatar
curiousjim
4,863 posts
 

Another vote for Brent Jesse. Having said that, different tubes have different tonal qualities.  So when you call BJ, let them know just what you’re looking for.

All the best.

czarivey
5,946 posts
 

@facten Credible vendors do almost same but from different "position".

Didn't you know that there are so many positions that you can get "poked". Read the ENTIRE Kamasutra to gen an idea how :) 

tomic601's avatar
tomic601
13,008 posts
 

complete waste of time and money to buy nos or other tubes without significant run in time for your new component…. burn in, listen critically, discern where you want to go… (  IF you don’t know where you are going, ANY road ( and $$$$ ) will get you there…..

lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 

Be warned...new production Mullards are not the real Mullards. A major manufacturer of tubes in Russia bought the name. They have no semblance to the sonics of NOS Mullards which were manufactured in UK or by their parent company Philips, Holland.

Start with Brent Jessee, knowledgeable and very accessible. Andy at Vintage Tube Services sells primo tubes, but last I checked, there was a three month wait for fulfillment.

More to discover