If you were a tube preamplifier manufacturer

Western electric 417A simply the best

Hi Ben,

For our Isabella tube preamp, which uses two 6922 tubes (one dual-triode per channel), I decided on the JJ E88CC (6922). http://www.jj-electronic.sk/

Why? I compared it to the equivalent tubes from Sovtek, Electro Harmonix, and some Chinese equivalents. The JJ E88CC had a less aggressive top-end (it was detailed, but sweeter) and more fullness in the mids (and I liked the vocals better) compared to the other new production tubes that I mentioned.

However, in different circuit designs, perhaps one of the other tubes would have been as good or even preferred. You should listen to as many brands as you can and then decide which gets you closest to the sound that you are after, and then voice the circuit (brand of caps, resistors, wiring, etc.) around that tube to optimize it.

Of course I still have plenty of customers who much prefer some of the finest NOS tubes in this tube family (e.g. Amperex 7308s, Siemens CCa's, etc.), as mentioned in our forum on audiocircle. The tube rolling is a big part of the fun for many of our customers, and I have to agree that it allows you to really fine-tune the sound. And there are some that end up in love with the resulting sound with the stock JJ tubes and don't want to change a thing! :-)

Cheers!

Vinnie Rossi
Red Wine Audio

Mr S- Actually, the cost of their ECC88 exceeds that of the pre-68, NOS Siemens CCa by 25 to 50 dollars(right now, for a very close triode balance, high transconductance reading CCa). I still prefer the CCa, as I feel it has a more accurate rendering of the original soundstage. Their team has been largely successful though, in their goal to reproduce(as authentically as possible) the sounds of live music(ala Siemens/Telefunken), rather than the classic "warmer" tube sound(say- Mullard/Brimar/Ediswan). If one prefers euphonics, the EAT tubes will not sate their aural palate. I've not heard the EAT ECC803S(compared say to the Telefunken of the same designation), but given the Euro Audio Team's goals- I'd have to assume it would possess the same flavorings(or lack thereof).

I'd be broke.

I have experimented with Mullards, Bugle Boys, and have found that a lot of hype is involved with these tubes. They can sound really spectacular in some situations, but not many. I have gotten the best sound with 12AX7, 12AU7 from Ei, and Chinese tubes. Unfortunately, the Chinese tubes do not last very long, 300 hrs or so. The old tubes NOS do last longer, but I find some a bit colored. The Chinese tubes are clean, dynamic, (You have to get the very low noise versions) and very big sounding, but a lot of them are noisy and the short life....no perfect tube. The new Mullard and Tung Sol, and the Sovtek, Winged C are very good. NOS does not mean all the rest are junk. They have their place, just like vinyl....all records don't sound great, but some are great.