2. amps-preamps
  3. 1186141602

Anybody tube rolled 845's?

I have a pair of Cary CAD-211AE monoblocks, so I need four 845 tubes. I already have tubes supplied by Cary but these are made in China. I am curious to try different tubes but given the cost of 845's and the fact I need four of them this could prove to be a very expensive exercise!

I am curious to try to KR Audio and the Cetron ones. Both of these are quite a bit cheaper than the RCA 845 (which I understand is the best).

Anyone like to share their experience? Also please state what amp you have and what effect the change had on your system.
amfibius
krisjan
100 posts
 
Hi,
My 211's are 15 months old and I just retubed and replaced the stock Cary tubes. For the 845's, I went with the Shuguang 845B's and I agree with Kehut that they are a nice upgrade over the stock Cary Chinese 845's. These are a very very good everyday tube. I also replaced the 300B's with some EH's, the 6sl7's from Tung-sol and the EL34's from Sino. The amps seem to extend a bit more in both directions and have a lovely midrange with this tube compliment. I am quite happy with the results
Mark
krisjan
100 posts
 
I should add that biasing with the Shuguang 845B's is rock steady. I don't get the slow drift I had with the stock 845's.
Mark
houstonreef
74 posts
 
I have a pair of Shunguang 845b. To me it is not bad at all and worth for the money you pay for.
amfibius OP
282 posts
 
Thanks for your responses everyone. People who have been using the Shuguang 845B - have you only compared these to the stock Chinese valves on the Cary, or any others?

Nobody tried the KR Audio 845? I've done a search on Audiogon and the only links that come up seem to be about the KR Audio shorting and blowing up the amp ...
krisjan
100 posts
 
I've only compared the 845B's to the original Cary tubes in the 211's. My system gets almost daily use. That means I will probably need to replace tubes every 15 months or so. For me, its a matter of cost/value relationship - for the price, the 845B's are great tubes. Would some NOS RCA's be better? Maybe, but for the price difference, I will be happy with the 845B's.
Mark
More to discover