Would you buy a tube amp if you were unable to use vintage tubes in it ?

Not available or too expensive.

Hmm.., I don't think I have a definitive answer for myself, but I would do my best to avoid such amps. There is no substitute for great tubes, I guess, especially if you value sophisticated sound.

inna04-19-2025 4:05am

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sns Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 3,842 posts 04-19-2025 at 07:01pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Plenty of very nice modern 300B, 845, EL34 tubes. I'd definitely have an issue devoid NOS for most others.
inna OP Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 7,923 posts 04-19-2025 at 07:51pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete It would be interesting for me to compare my VAC Avatar SE full of vintage Mullard and RCA tubes with later VAC integrated full of Chinese/Russian tubes. "new tubes are better than no tubes". This is something that would be very hard to argue with. I certainly won't. Yes, modern amps should sound good with whatever new tubes are available, but..even Kevin of VAC himself recommended vintage tubes for driver and power output tubes. Surprisingly to me he suggested I stay with selected Chinese 12AX7 for preamp. I of course did not, though I am sure he knows what he talks about. Besides the sound quality I also want reliability and longevity.
texasblues1959 Details Discussions Posts This discussion 188 posts 04-19-2025 at 07:59pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Why would you not be able to use vintage tubes??
immatthewj Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 3,176 posts 04-19-2025 at 09:18pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Yes I would.
bolong Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 754 posts 04-19-2025 at 09:33pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Has the Thread Initiator ever heard any vintage tubes?

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