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Thread: Replacing Chinese Valves, what make to look out for

  1. #1
    Join Date: Aug 2016

    Location: Kent UK

    Posts: 223
    I'm Paul.

    Default Replacing Chinese Valves, what make to look out for

    Hi all

    With Chinese made valve Amplifiers its often recommended that the Chinese Valves should be replaced with better made valves

    Looking on the BayofEvil there are quite a few NOS valves from the likes of Mullard etc

    Are there any particular makes of valves to lookout for or to avoid

    Thanks for any input on this

    Paul
    Current setup Thorens TD-160 Mk1 with Denon DL-110 MC Cartridge, Pioneer PD-8700 CD Player, Yamaha AX-592 Amp, Yamaha CDX-810 CD Player, Yamaha KX-480 Cassette Deck, Yamaha TX-492RDS Tuner, Monitor Audio Bronze 5 speakers, Van-Damme Cables throughout.

  2. #2
    Join Date: Jan 2013

    Location: Birmingham

    Posts: 6,772
    I'm James.

    Default

    I would buy certainly NOS if funds permit. Makes to look out for depends on which type of valve you are looking for but GE, RCA, Tesla,Sylvania, Telefunken, Mullard, Siemans, Amperex, Brimar, Tung Sol, Westinghouse all good.

    Avoid new stuff especially from China unless you know its proven to be good. Best read reviews depending on which brand.
    Main system : VPI Scout 1.1 / JMW 9T / 2M Black / Croft 25R+ / Croft 7 / Heco Celan GT 702

    Second System : Goldring Lenco GL75 / AT95EX / Pioneer SX590 / Spendor SP2

  3. #3
    Join Date: Dec 2013

    Location: north

    Posts: 456
    I'm mick.

    Default

    For o/p valves EL 34,84, you can do a lot worse than Russian ex military,6p14p & 6p3se in particular .They compare very favourably to the names mentioned and are much cheaper. The European nos types are now very expensive. Mick
    Nothin' I do don't seem to work ,it only seems to make matters worse!. Jagger/Richards

  4. #4
    Join Date: Jan 2017

    Location: Kansas City, Missouri

    Posts: 590
    I'm Nathan.

    Default

    NOS valves are usually the way to go. I don't know what valves you're looking for, but you'll probably find a lot of options. They'll all best the Chinese ones most likely, but I have heard some of the Chinese ones that surprised me.

    Stay away from the ultra rare, super expensive ones. The rarity doesn't always mean they're better. The exceptions being 2a3s and 45s, but I don't think the Chinese have knocked those off yet.

    A lot of them got rebranded, so the name on them doesn't always mean anything either. I usually use RCA, Sylvania, and GE, but that's mainly because I already have a bunch of them.

  5. #5
    Join Date: Aug 2016

    Location: Kent UK

    Posts: 223
    I'm Paul.

    Default

    Thanks for the replies

    The supplied Chinese valves are 6j1 but the supplier of the amp claim the following can be used

    5654, 6AK5 and EF95

    Not sure if that is a good sign or not, are all those valves basically the same or is it an indication the maker has been upto no good, had a look at the PCB and there are no hidden chips so I assume it's a genuine valve amp and not like some Chinese Amps that just use the valves for visual effect.

    I can get Mullard EF95 NOS for £5 each on Fleabay

    Thanks

    Paul
    Current setup Thorens TD-160 Mk1 with Denon DL-110 MC Cartridge, Pioneer PD-8700 CD Player, Yamaha AX-592 Amp, Yamaha CDX-810 CD Player, Yamaha KX-480 Cassette Deck, Yamaha TX-492RDS Tuner, Monitor Audio Bronze 5 speakers, Van-Damme Cables throughout.

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