First Sound Preamp Owner's - What NOS tubes?????

Congrats on your FS purchase!

I've found the Amperex NOS tubes to be outstanding. I have 6922s and, 7308s, both PQ and USN. Some are Holland, (under the Philips lable) and some are USA made. All are white lable. These are sonicaly even, clear, extended and seemingly un-colored.

Emmanuel, at last communication, seemed to like the less expensive, and currently produced Electro-Harmonik tubes. Sadly, these (EH 6922 Gold Pins) don't seem to work as well in my system. I still have apair just sitting here. :( Email me if you want them.

I have also tried the Ei 6dj8, with good results. These are very surprising, considering the cost is about $20 for a pair! They are not the same as the NOS Amperex tubes, but at 8 -10 times LESS than the Amperex, they are pretty darned good.

good luck with your new toy. :-)

paul

When I owned a FS preamp, I really liked the Philips SQ E188CC tubes. Very well balanced tubes.

When one mentioned Philips SQ E188CC, one has to realise that Philips produced E188CC over many years. This mean that the sound of Philips SQ E188CC can be very much different within themselves. There a total of 8 product codes for Philips SQ E188CC representing each period of it. Starting from the most earlier VR0, follows by VR1, VR2, VR3, VR5, VR6, VR7, VR8 and VR9. You can find this code etched on the glass. I didn't come across VR4 all these years, if anyone come across it, do let me know.

Cheers!
Ace_Hayashi

Well, for the record, mine are VR5s. Thanks for the info Ace. I didn't realize there were so many variations.

I preferred the VR5s to any of the Amperex 7308 or 6922 tubes in the First Sound, as well as others.