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Why Can't Modern Tube Manufacturers Make a Proper Tube?

Current tube manufacturers, at least the ones I have tried should be utterly ashamed at their ineptness, apathy, ignorance, or whatever it is that makes them seemingly unable to make a tube properly.

And I never knew what I was missing before I tried reclaimed tubes from the 1950's, an era where people build things instead of ruining things.

The present manufactures are said to have the actual machinery to make tubes for which they have examples in hand and schematics on file, but they just can't do it.

Is this a case of Idiocracy? Are people just stupid today? The world and all creation do follow the 2nd rule of thermodynamics so I guess this is the case.

Listening to Black Plate RCA’s and Mullards in my system, even for a short time made it glaringly obvious that modern manufactures are embarrassingly inadequate. There is absolutely no comparison.

Why can't modern tube manufacturers make a proper tube?

1. lack of IQ?

2. Apathy? 

3. Lack of Materials?

4. Lost knowledge? 

 

tonydennison
lloydc's avatar
lloydc
768 posts
 

Many Modern tubes are pretty good, if you buy from sellers who thoroughly test and match them.  They identify a lit of rejects that way, and guess what? Somebody else sells those rejects.   If you’re looking for a “good price”, guess which tubes you get. 

macg19
1,070 posts
 

@decooney I run Harbeth 40.3 XDs with a Rogers High Fidelity EHF 200 MK2. Sounds really good, drives them with ease.

As many of us have learned through experience, buying new tubes from a trusted seller who actually tests and ranks their tubes matters too.

It does, (goes for new and NOS) and if you are running tubes like KT150’s new Tungsol’s are the only option. However Roger said the reject rate is pretty low on the 150’s, but not definitely not 0%.

 

larsman's avatar
larsman
2,509 posts
 

I've got contemporary WE 300B's made in Georgia (the state, not the country) - those are awesome tubes that made my amp sound like an upgraded model, if there's been one. Expensive indeed, but worth it if it's what you like. 

bolong
810 posts
 

I have been running 8 A-matched Sophia Electric EI-34’s in my Primaluna and have been very pleased with them. Not cheap though.

decooney
2,358 posts
 

Several here stated having true success with new production tubes, and compared to their vintage tubes. Inventory is starting to pick up again for the new big bottles.

It’s worth noting where Sophia Electric and some of these tubes are actually OEM manufactured and labeled. That info is usually found on other forums.

As long as there is some performance guarantee, and we deal with reputable tube resellers, it should keep tube amp fans going for a while longer. Happy Listening!

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