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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.

inna
westcoastaudiophile
361 posts
 

@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
7,355 posts
 

If they tolerate vibrations better , they should  theoretically sound better, all other things being equal.  

westcoastaudiophile
361 posts
 

"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. 

atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,957 posts
 

Ralph, I see. This makes it complicated, doesn’t it ? You just have to try, no general answer really.

@inna Exactly.

inna OP
7,355 posts
 

I just finished burning in new 12AU7 RCA black plates from early 50s to compare them to the RCA black plates from late 50s that I had installed. Both sets are matched.

Earlier RCAs do sound better !

They have a slightly higher resolution, more depth and charm. Fascinating.

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