Thoughts on current production 2A3s?

mhardy6647 · 5509

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Offline mhardy6647

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on: March 02, 2011, 10:18:02 AM
I did try searching a bit but didn't find this topic; hope you all don't mind this thread and my locating it here!

Wondering if anyone could provide any feedback on the quality/performance/value of the gamut of current production tubes being sold as 2A3s?

With my Paramours resuscitated, the only modern tubes I have any experience with are the Sovetks and the Chinese ValveArt branded tubes that originally came with the kits.

I think there are numerous choices now, but I know nothing about any of them, so any comments are greatly appreciated and gratefully received.



Offline Grainger49

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Reply #1 on: March 02, 2011, 11:11:46 AM
I bought a pair of 2A3C (Shugaung?) about a year ago.  I like the sound of them, better than the Sovtek that were in the kit to begin with.

Others will chime in about the (reported) beautiful mesh plates that are available.


Offline Paully

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Reply #2 on: March 02, 2011, 02:20:38 PM
I will just chime in to second the 2a3c for us bottom feeders.  A very nice value.  Like Grainger I don't have experience with the truly exotic 2a3 but I think I have enough experience with tubes to recognize a good value.  The Shuguang are a very nice place to start.

Don't be afraid to search the archives here:
http://www.audioasylum.com/forums/set/bbs.html


Offline Maxwell_E

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Reply #3 on: March 02, 2011, 02:35:39 PM
I've heard good things about the JJ 2A3-40. There's a store here called the Headroom and they have a nice amp with a set of those.

Max Tomlinson
SEX amp, Tode guitar amp

Offline InfernoSTi

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Reply #4 on: March 02, 2011, 03:22:34 PM
Quote from: Maxwell_E on March 02, 2011, 02:35:39 PM
I've heard good things about the JJ 2A3-40. There's a store here called the Headroom and they have a nice amp with a set of those.

I love my JJ 2A3-40s.  Eurotube https://ssl.eurotubes.com/cart/index.php?page=view_products&category_id=3&sub_category_id=25 has the best prices I've found and are nice guys who seem to focus on guitar tubes but carry a lot of audio tubes of nice quality.  I just love this posting about them:  http://www.audioasylum.com/forums/tubediy/messages/14/148895.html

John


John Kessel
Hawthorne Audio AMT K2 Reference Speakers
Paramount 300B w/MQ All Nickel Iron,  Mundorf S/G 5.5 uF,  and  Vcap Teflon .1 uF
Auralic Taurus Preamp/Auralic Vega DAC/Auralic Aries Streamer
and lots of room treatments!

Offline Jim R.

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Reply #5 on: March 02, 2011, 04:09:41 PM
Another vote for the JJ 2a3-40.  Very good tube for the money and I ended up keeping them over a pair of shuguang Treasure black-bottle 2a3s (premium A grade).

Eurotubes has the best prices too.

-- Jim

Jim Rebman -- recovering audiophile

Equitech balanced power; uRendu, USB processor -> Musette DAC -> 5670 tube buffer -> Finale Audio F138 FFX -> Cain and Cain Abbys near-field).

s.e.x. 2.1 under construction.  Want list: Stereomour II

All ICs homemade (speaker and power next)

Offline braubeat

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Reply #6 on: March 03, 2011, 06:12:32 AM
I have a pair of the sofia 300b/2.5/n meshplate(basically a 2a3 with higher plate dissipation) . I really like them and have been listening to them for about 5 years. they're great. I have heard that the 2a3 version sounds even a little better but never heard them. I think you can get them for around $250 if you shop around.

Michael


Offline mhardy6647

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Reply #7 on: March 03, 2011, 09:15:54 AM
Thanks folks.  Sounds like the JJs are worthy of consideration.
At the moment I am using one RCA Radiotron and one Philco (both dual plate) that I bought used (and cheap) years ago from a fellow New England hifi nut.  They are good sounding tubes, but their long-term viability is an unknown.



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