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45 Lovers - what are your favorite tubes?

The "300B lovers" thread includes some passing discussions about 45 tubes that I found informative. Being relatively late to the "45 game" I only have a couple of pairs of ST 45s for use in my Alan Eaton monoblocks. 

Glow in the Dark audio has some wonderfully written and informative info about the 45 tube, but I thought I'd invite other 45 lovers to share their thoughts here about what tubes they are using, enjoying, preferring and saving. 

Thanks, in advance, for any information you can share.

128x128markusthenaimnut
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,644 posts
 

I use RCAs. There was a time when they were easy and cheap to find...

carlsbad2's avatar
carlsbad2
1,409 posts
 

I have one set (my amp uses 45, 2A3, or 300b).  I bought a pair of kenrads on ebay just to have a set.  They sounded good.  I settled on some 2.5V 300B mesh from sophia but I've been meaning to put the 45s back in.  I'll try to remember to do that tonight.

Looking forward to reading this thread.

Jerry

carlsbad2's avatar
carlsbad2
1,409 posts
 

As promised, I put the 45s back in tonight. Sound great. I’ll leave them in a few days and change back to see if I can choose which I prefer. First thought is bass is tighter with the 45s. Links are to my google photos page.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZTcTcCyqRkA3SrSV9

https://photos.app.goo.gl/DBBAga2hAPvepAk58

Jerry

 

markusthenaimnut's avatar
markusthenaimnut OP
357 posts
 

@carlsbad2 Jerry - Your photos are bitchin'. Looks like a really cool setup, and awesome that you can swap tube types like you describe. That would really have me obsessing constantly.

@atmasphere The RCA shouldered tubes do sound great and are still pretty reasonable. I read lots of raves about 45 globes and the EML varieties but so far I've been pretty content with my RCA tubes. Pretty standard tubes, nothing exotic or crazy except the outstanding sound.

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