Do military/industrial tubes sound better than regular ones ?

Or they are usually just more rugged and longer lasting? I am particularly interested in 12AX7 and 12AU7 RCA blackplates from early and late 50s.

They are often double the price, but that would not be my main concern in this case because even regular ones should last for a very long time.

In other words, I would like to have best sounding RCA blackplates in my VAC Avatar SE, and longer lasting would be a bonus.

inna02-06-2025 10:02pm

Post removed Feb 07, 2025
inna OP Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 7,923 posts 02-07-2025 at 06:09pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete trivema, no I have no intention to buy too many, just two or three sets of each type that I need. Did you compare those Raytheon 12AX7 black plates to RCA blackplates ? Ralph, I see. This makes it complicated, doesn’t it ? You just have to try, no general answer really.
westcoastaudiophile Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 518 posts 02-09-2025 at 07:46pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete @inna "Do military/industrial tubes sound better than regular ones ?” they don’t! typ. MIL and Industry standards have higher shock-vibe, temperatures spec to comply!
inna OP Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 7,923 posts 02-09-2025 at 10:40pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete If they tolerate vibrations better , they should theoretically sound better, all other things being equal.
westcoastaudiophile Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 518 posts 02-11-2025 at 09:06pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete "they should theoretically sound better” only with tangible sound feedback btw spkrs and tubes, otherwise there shouldn't be big difference, other than aging/storage/etc conditions spec.