Audible Illusions Modulus 3a tubes

AI is very firm about only using Sovtek 6922 in the pre amp. Many , most tubes do not work in the 3A. So be advised that if you put other tubes old stock etc, you might find them noisey in just a few days. Experment if you must but be careful and prepared for bad results with tubes other than a Sovtec.

I find it hard to believe Sovteks are only recommended for the A.I. When I got my Rogue 99 with phono I had to replace the sovtek L.P.S. tubes because they were NOISEY!! and there wasnt anything wrong with them.I replaced them with Telefunkin 12AX7 tubes and they demoloished the Sovteks.I also replaced my amp EL-34 Sovteks with Svetlanas.HUGE improvement!!! I will NEVER waste my money on Sovteks again.Kevin Deal @ upscale audio will sell you what you need.He knows!! Stay away from Sovteks!!

I notice www.thetubestore.com has some admonitions regarding 6922's with the audible illusions. Does anyone know a good place to buy discount matched octed power tube sets ?

the Sovtek tubes strength is durability not exceptional sound .While the A.I. M3A is fussy on what tubes it uses, there are stil a few better tube choices.BTW the A.I M3A has gone through small production upgrades each year since the 3A was introduced in 1996 and the current production model has adressed the problem of limited tube choices. Once again Kevin Deal is the tube guru and as well as sells the A.I line.He is unquestionably the absolute source for matching tubes with the M3A.If one may be looking for unmatched bargain tubes, then that may offer a different or even improved sound, but by no means an exceptional sound!You would not buy a mint used performance car and put budget tires on it,or would you?

Please note I never said that the Sovtec sounded better,and AI rejects at least 3 out of 4 of the Sovtecs befor selling them as suitable with the 3A. I will not agrue that many tubes sound better in the 3A it is hard to find one to sound good and last without noise, however.