mmcgill829
I read that some users have used a tube extender, basically a second tube socket; to offset them.....allowing them to clear each other. Not sure if that would work for the 2A3 amp though
Aric Audio Super 2A3 owners - favorite tubes?
Hello all,
I've been enjoying my new set of Aric Audio amps (the Super 6SN7 linestage + Super 2A3 amp) and have been playing around with different tubes. I am curious what tubes anyone who owns either of these prefers.
I swapped from the stock 5U4GB to some NOS RCA 5U4Gs, but not sure if there's anything better out there that owners may prefer rectifier-wise. Asking Aric, he said GB or G works fine, but beyond that didn't offer any other alternatives as far as compatible tube options.
For my 2A3 tubes, I have a set of NOS Svetlana SV-2A3 (2C4C) and EML 2a3-S Meshplates and prefer the EMLs. The Svetlanas sound nice - they are a little more 'warm' sounding to me - but they lack the detail and wide holographic soundstage that the EMLs produce.
For the 6SN7 tubes on both the pre-amp and the amplifier (3 total), I've tried Sylvania JAN 6SN7GT VT-231 2 Hole Bad Boy, Black Plates an d NOS RCA JAN 5692 6SN7 (red base) tubes and prefer the Sylvania's by a mile. Swapping from the Sylvanias to the RCAs, bass thinned out quite a bit. Detail was great, and mid/highs were nice, but the Sylvanias are overall much nicer.
What have you tried and liked / tried and kept?
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@vthokie83 The problem is they are aligned right in front of each other rather than side to side, so its a front/back distance that is the issue and it's quite close. I'm not sure I'd want to put anything but standard sized tubes there from a cooling perspective. It would really need to be either significantly higher or offset by a couple inches. I'm still using the bad boy 6SN7 tube there, plus a fairly expensive NOS RCA 6SL7/5691 red base that was something like $200 for just the one. I may swap the 6SN7 for a linlai just to test, but that's probably it I think! The NOS 5691 is pretty excellent. |
@vthokie83 Please do! Would love to hear your thoughts (plus could be beneficial for others who come across this thread with the same questions). |
Power tubes and rectifiers can alter the sound of an amplifier from 10% to 30%. The driver tubes (6SN7 & 6SL7) can impact the tone and presentation by up to 60% - depending on your system and ears. I like the VT231 Raytheons - although the Sylvanias are very nice as well - a little more laid back, middle of the theater presentation compared to front row Raytheons. 6SL7 tubes - try the 6SU7GTY Tung Sols...just the best in class by a good margin. Brown base, dark glass version . The 5691 are nice as well - but the TS are amazing.
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