Good old Paraglow tube replacement ?

backtomono · 3640

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Offline backtomono

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on: December 04, 2012, 11:24:22 PM

Hello there, fellows and experts Bottleheads!

It has been a few years since i posted here, it's nice to come back:
i still have my trusty Paraglow sounding great,
but am considering to buy some replacement tubes.
I guess those i got running now may still glow a life long, but who knows ?
So i have been searching the archives... and just ordered a nice Mullard e180cc.
And actually it's all about another 2a3 to backup my ol' trusty ValveArt...
What i came through reading around is i should not go for a single nor a mesh plate
since i don't have the "soft start" upgrade... am i wrong ?
so what do i go for : RCA black plate? grey plate ? Something else?
To me the ValveArt still sounds great.
It is just : "if i buy a backup, let's go for something nice ...and compatible"!

Thanks in advance for all your comments and advice !




Offline backtomono

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Reply #1 on: December 06, 2012, 09:49:45 AM
Hello again everybody !

Just bumping for an answer...

Couldn't any of the experts onboard confirm that i should not go for a single or a mesh plate 2a3
since i don't have "the soft start" upgrade on my paraglow ?
And by the way on this particular amplifier, is it possible
to hear a significant difference between the rca's black and grey plates ?
I can see a difference in their price range, but knowing the importance of fetishism...

Any advice will be warmly appreciated, thanks in advance for your inputs.


« Last Edit: December 06, 2012, 10:12:11 AM by backtomono »


Offline 2wo

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Reply #2 on: December 06, 2012, 12:11:42 PM
Not an expert but till one shows up...

The soft start is for the paramount. I don't know if the Paraglow is a direct coupled amp or not but there only seemed to be a problem I believe with the EML tubes. Just about all new and old 2A3s should work fine in you amp.

If you are running mono, you may be able to pick up a nice single 2a3 off the Bay with a bit of patients. some old single plate or something...John       

John S.

Offline Paul Joppa

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Reply #3 on: December 06, 2012, 03:46:16 PM
The EML is a no-no for sure, I believe there have been some issues with the TJ mesh, also sold as Sophia. I am not sufficuently familiar with all the tubes out there, but I can say we've never had this problem with the Sovtek single plate also sold under a few other names, and I think the RCA's have been OK. Doc B might have more information if he can recover his memory after the Tode Hop!

Paul Joppa

Offline Paul Joppa

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Reply #4 on: December 06, 2012, 05:05:27 PM
See my post in your other thread for a correction and clarification.

Paul Joppa

Offline backtomono

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Reply #5 on: December 07, 2012, 04:37:51 AM

Thanks to all : Experts and Un-experts ! :)
Yes, i am running mono and i just found a new single  JJ Tesla for reasonable money on ebay.
and i'll post some impressions
if i can hear any difference with my actual ValveArt... or not !






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