New 2A3 recommendations

Suger · 4679

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Offline Suger

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on: April 23, 2024, 09:12:48 AM
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.



Offline Tom-s

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Reply #1 on: April 23, 2024, 07:33:35 PM
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.



Offline Suger

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Reply #2 on: April 26, 2024, 09:35:01 PM
Many thanks



Offline Larpy

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Reply #3 on: April 27, 2024, 10:21:07 AM
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.

Larry


Offline hmbscott

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Reply #4 on: April 29, 2024, 11:32:14 AM
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.

Scott
[Ortofon 2M Bronze > U-Turn Theory > Eros II] & [iMac via USB > Denafrips Ares 2] >> Moreplay >> Schiit Lokius EQ >> Stereomour II >> Hsu ULS-15 Sub >> homemade DML Speakers
Moreplay 2nd out >> [Crack + Speedball > HD 650]


Offline Paul Birkeland

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Reply #5 on: May 05, 2024, 07:41:18 AM
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.

Paul "PB" Birkeland

Bottlehead Grunt & The Repro Man