Bottlehead Forum

Bottlehead Kits => Legacy Kit Products => Topic started by: Sugar Man on September 07, 2013, 09:25:14 AM

Title: Paraglow 2A3 Upgrade
Post by: Sugar Man on September 07, 2013, 09:25:14 AM

Hi all,

Just got my old Paraglow's up and running (after a few hiccups) with the help of PB.  Back in the glory days, I ran them with TJ Meshplates and the sound was glorious.  Alas, the Meshplates have given up the ghost and I am back with the original Chinese 2A3s - which are also old as dirt now.  Looking to get back to glorious. The posts in the recent past list a few options:

1.  Shuguangs
2.  JJs
3.  Sophia Meshplates

Musicality is more my thing than soundstage as my living room setup is what it is.  From what I've read the meshplates seem to be a bit finicky.  Mine were actually bulletproof until I broke them back out from a forced retirement.

Would love everybody's input.  I'm definitely looking for a plug 'n play situation, not looking to make any changes under the hood to allow for an exotic supertube.

Title: Re: Paraglow 2A3 Upgrade
Post by: Grainger49 on September 07, 2013, 09:49:30 AM

When my stock Paramour (1) 2A3s got flabby I bought a pair of Suguang 2A3Cs.  I have been very happy with them.  They are probably the cheapest of your suggestions.  The JJs would be next and as you know, the Sophias the most expensive. 

There are some times you can't get around paying for what you get.

I'm too cheap to buy Sophias.

Title: Re: Paraglow 2A3 Upgrade
Post by: Paul Birkeland on September 07, 2013, 12:31:56 PM

I'd have to throw my recommendation in for the venerable Sovtek 2A3.  They are incredibly reliable and more than sonically adequate.

Title: Re: Paraglow 2A3 Upgrade
Post by: Grainger49 on September 07, 2013, 01:48:48 PM

I agree.  After buying the 2A3Cs I couldn't fairly compare the Sovteks.  They had sounded very good for all the years it took me to run them flat.

Title: Re: Paraglow 2A3 Upgrade
Post by: RPMac on September 09, 2013, 03:40:18 AM

I thought there was a problem with meshplates and direct coupling...or was that just with the Paraglow II?

All I could use were 2a3c and Sovtek.

Title: Re: Paraglow 2A3 Upgrade
Post by: najo49 on September 12, 2013, 06:18:14 AM

I have used Sovteks, shunguang,China no names, but my hands down favorites are the Psvane at a 99.00 pair price. Check it out,I do tests with all 4 of the mentioned,and consistantly go back to the Psvane. Jann O.

Title: Re: Paraglow 2A3 Upgrade
Post by: Sugar Man on September 15, 2013, 06:43:34 AM

Thanks to everyone for their input.  Checking out the Psvanes, I note that they make a few options of 2A3.  The $129 pair (see link) also mention that they may not replace a 2a3c.  Can anyone fill me in on which ones will work with Paraglows? Apparently there are 2a3's that might not work?  Out of my pay grade here.

http://psvanetube.com/wordpress/store/products/2a3-pair/

Title: Re: Paraglow 2A3 Upgrade
Post by: Paul Birkeland on September 15, 2013, 07:16:16 AM

I don't believe you will have any issues with 2A3's in your particular Paraglows. 

-PB

Title: Re: Paraglow 2A3 Upgrade
Post by: Sugar Man on September 16, 2013, 08:56:49 PM

Quote from: Caucasian Blackplate on September 15, 2013, 07:16:16 AM

I don't believe you will have any issues with 2A3's in your particular Paraglows. 

-PB

Thanks, Paul.