Bottlehead Forum
Bottlehead Kits => Legacy Kit Products => MonAmour => Topic started by: Suger on April 23, 2024, 09:12:48 AM
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Hiya
So it would seem that the time has come to replace the 2A3s on our NewAmoirs, as the original Sovteks are starting to show signs of wear.
I wondered if anyone had any recommendations for a nice replacement? We don’t rotate and it’s our only 2A3, so I’m pretty open to ideas.
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Two 2A3 that can handle normal 2A3 and higher operating points would be JJ 2A3-40 and EML 2A3-Solid plate.
Maybe look into those.
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Many thanks
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Do you mean the Mon Amour amps? I haven't heard them myself but the Electro-Harmonix Gold 2A3s have received good reviews. The EMLs are viewed as excellent, though they cost quite a bit more than the EHs.
In the U.S., you can still find NOS 2A3s for around $150-$200.
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I replaced the Psvane Classic 2A3-C's that came with my Stereomour II kit with matched NOS 2A3 RCA-construction black-plates (Sylvania branded), which I like a lot. Obtained from the very nice folks at Radio Electric Supply, $150 ea. The Psvane is a nice tube, but the RCA black-plates are definitely a cut above in refinement, most apparent in high-end smoothness without out any compromise in detail. This is in a new modified Stereomour II, (https://forum.bottlehead.com/index.php?topic=15167.0) that doesn't yet have the shunt regulator or DC filament supply upgrades added. I have very sensitive speakers so I hear significant the AC heater hum, and noted that the Psvains are definitely the noisier tube heater wise, but the RCA's aren't silent either. I have over a hundred hours on both tube types, and noted the Psvanes seemed to benefit much more from burn-in, especially early on, than the RCA's.
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So it would seem that the time has come to replace the 2A3s on our NewAmoirs, as the original Sovteks are starting to show signs of wear.
What are the symptoms? Typically I would expect about double the life you're getting out of a pair of Sovteks.