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Post by wkylef on Sept 28, 2018 13:14:25 GMT -7
Hello everyone! I know this has been discussed a lot on the internet, not sure how much here. Just wanting to get some thought on NOS tubes vs. new production tubes. It seems to be pretty much a given in most things I have read that NOS/older tubes were made better than current production tubes. It makes sense to me. I am fairly new to learning about NOS tubes and tube amps in general, but I am enjoying learning, reading about them, etc.
I was more interested in what you guys have found out of your personal experiences regarding this issue. I have recently bought some NOS tubes from KCA tubes for both my Maz 8 and M12 replacing some of the stock tubes. I have been pleased with the results. I believe it has improved the sound of the amps to some degree, not way better, but better. I was more interested in NOS tubes to avoid tube failures and have tubes that last longer and have less chance of failure.
So anyway, do you feel NOS tubes sound better in general and do you feel they are more durable than new production tubes? Thanks!
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Post by digs57 on Sept 28, 2018 15:48:22 GMT -7
Go to tubes section...welcome to tube land and site!...I guess I myself if I were playing out and I can get 95% of what nos tubes offer...im going that route w/less risk of losing money if goes south...if you sit and doodle never leaves the house less risk...no guarantees.
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Post by zpilot on Sept 28, 2018 16:11:24 GMT -7
Yes, with one exception. NOS EL34's may sound a little different than current production but I don't think they necessarily sound "better". That is all up to your taste. And they surely aren't worth the difference in price.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Sept 28, 2018 17:36:52 GMT -7
It seems pretty accurate to say that for the most part, NOS tubes have been cherry picked and the good ones are gone. Any true ones are astronomically priced. I'm really glad that Doc's amps work so well with current production tubes. I've got some nice NOS stuff and it really doesn't help enough to justify the price...to me.
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Post by wkylef on Sept 28, 2018 18:32:06 GMT -7
It seems pretty accurate to say that for the most part, NOS tubes have been cherry picked and the good ones are gone. Any true ones are astronomically priced. I'm really glad that Doc's amps work so well with current production tubes. I've got some nice NOS stuff and it really doesn't help enough to justify the price...to me. That is kind of why I started this thread, to see if people thought NOS tubes were worth it or not. I would never pay $100 or more for one tube. I do have some NOS tubes from KCA tubes that I got to try them out, but they were moderate in price compared to others. I liked the results, but like I said in my initial post they did not make the amp sound way better than it was stock. The possibility of NOS tubes lasting longer and being more reliable is what draws me more to them. I know everyone may have had different experiences, but do people reading this think NOS tubes are more reliable and last longer?
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Post by Paul (TRANE) on Sept 28, 2018 18:56:47 GMT -7
Best things for NOS to me: Rectifier tube - NOS are just better Ef86 - NOS are way better.
And NOS should last a very long time.
There are lots of great new production 12ax7s and power tubes. A favorite for me is the new tungsol 12ax7 in V1 and new Mullard cv4004 in V2 and V3. Very quiet grouping and great tone to boot. For KT66 I love shuguang tubes and for 6L6 I love the new mullards. EL84 I love the NOS ones Doc uses but also love new JJs.
Hope that helps.
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Post by mudman on Sept 28, 2018 20:39:11 GMT -7
Nos tubes are great imho. I’ve found they can make my amp run quieter (less hiss) and they last longer. Tone wise I think they’re a hit too.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Sept 29, 2018 5:54:55 GMT -7
I totally agree about the NOS rectifier tubes being more reliable. I've paid $100 a tube for rectifiers, but nothing else. The only other ones I've really tried are 12AX7 types and for me they haven't been worth it. If I had and EF86 amp I'd probably go for some of those too.
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Post by zpilot on Sept 29, 2018 14:32:06 GMT -7
It seems pretty accurate to say that for the most part, NOS tubes have been cherry picked and the good ones are gone. Any true ones are astronomically priced. I'm really glad that Doc's amps work so well with current production tubes. I've got some nice NOS stuff and it really doesn't help enough to justify the price...to me. That is kind of why I started this thread, to see if people thought NOS tubes were worth it or not. I would never pay $100 or more for one tube. I do have some NOS tubes from KCA tubes that I got to try them out, but they were moderate in price compared to others. I liked the results, but like I said in my initial post they did not make the amp sound way better than it was stock. The possibility of NOS tubes lasting longer and being more reliable is what draws me more to them. I know everyone may have had different experiences, but do people reading this think NOS tubes are more reliable and last longer? I have to admit that almost all of the NOS tubes I have were purchased several years ago and are probably not representative of what is available now. I also got them when prices were more reasonable. If I were buying NOS tubes now it would most likely be limited to 5AR4 rectifiers and 12AX7's to use in V1.
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Post by j4gitr (John) on Sept 29, 2018 21:34:32 GMT -7
In addition to NOS rectifiers, I tried a couple of NOS 12AX7's in my Antidote. I liked them a little better but YMMV.
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Post by zpilot on Sept 30, 2018 7:27:24 GMT -7
Yes, with one exception. NOS EL34's may sound a little different than current production but I don't think they necessarily sound "better". That is all up to your taste. And they surely aren't worth the difference in price. Correction. I meant EL84's.
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Post by daddyelmis (Greg) on Sept 30, 2018 10:39:42 GMT -7
One of the things I love about having discovered Dr Z is that my days of obsession over NOS tubes is over. I replace tubes with what the Doc specifies - easy peasy and I keep the tone that got me to buy the amp in the first place.
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NOS tubes
Oct 2, 2018 19:16:53 GMT -7
via mobile
Post by sharkboy on Oct 2, 2018 19:16:53 GMT -7
For instance, I’ve never liked the “Winged C” (modern) EF86s in anything else, but I haven’t been tempted to change the one in my Route 66. I’ve been a terrible tinkerer with all tubes in past amps.
I will probably tinker again if I ever can’t get a sound I’m reaching for, but right now all my Zs seem to give me more than I imagined.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Oct 2, 2018 19:32:58 GMT -7
I just put a NOS Raytheon 5U4BG rectifier in my new Nova amp yesterday. I measured the voltage at the plates of the output on the original one, and the NOS. They were the same, and I can't tell any difference in tone or feel of the amp. I'll just be really surprised if I ever have to worry about the rectifier tube in that amp again. The rest of the tubes are remaining as is. This amp sounds so good that I don't want to mess with the tubes.
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Post by Buzz Fretwear (Ignatius) on Oct 3, 2018 15:10:43 GMT -7
I've had good luck with A(lmost)NOS tubes. Some test as new and can be found for a good price. Just use a reliable seller.
FWIW, I've liked the results swapping in NOS preamp tubes. I will probably stick with current production power tubes. That said, the ANOS preamp tubes made a noticeable but not dramatic difference. In fact if I were gigging hard with the amp I'd probably stick with current production.
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Post by Chilly Gibbons (Todd T.) on Oct 3, 2018 15:22:16 GMT -7
Agree here, I like the ANOS preamp tubes as well.
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Post by brendanp on Oct 4, 2018 2:30:16 GMT -7
I bought a few 1960s Mullard 12AX7s a while ago. They were lightly used, and I got them at a very good price. If I could hear any difference between them and the JJs that were in my Maz 18, it was that the Mullards seemed to drive a little later, and were ever so slightly warmer. I pulled them out and reinserted the JJs, though, and will keep the Mullards as backup, simply because the there's nothing wrong with the JJs and I'll use them until they fizzle out.
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Post by detuned on Oct 4, 2018 5:31:19 GMT -7
You can still find some bargains if you're looking for some of the less popular tubes - for instance, I like popping in a 5751 when trying to reduce early breakup, and they're quite reasonable compared to a 12ax7, or even a 12at7.
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Post by mickey on Oct 29, 2018 1:29:47 GMT -7
I have installed NOS Mullard GZ34 rectifiers in both my Maz amps, but that's as far as it goes. Those rectifiers are for reliability, and don't appear to change the sound of the amps. There may be a slight difference in feel/response due to the sag properties of the Mullard versus the Sovtek, but I've stopped trying to decide and just use the amps. I may do the same with my Cure but I do believe these amps were designed with modern tubes so will sound great with them. I tried one or two NOS 12ax7's in V1 when I had a Ghia, but always went back to JJ's, and continue to use them.
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