View Full Version : Current production tubes
As the prices of “NOS” tubes are starting to get silly, has anybody tried any of the current production tubes vs the “NOS” variants?
eBay seems full of dubious “NOS” valves, and prices for ECC83 from trusted suppliers are starting to get silly.
I know that there is a limited supply of good NOS tubes, and there is a high risk that the tubes being sold from some places are either fake, or potentially lower quality stock.
And prices are only going to get worse, so I am interested to see if anybody has tried any of the newer production tubes to see if I should get some more NOS while I can, or if the new versions are good enough.
I am also interested to know if anybody knows of a supplier for PCC88 at a reasonable price.
Wakefield Turntables
05-03-2023, 09:32
Yep. I tried the new Brimar CV4004 and thee EL34 and they were very good. Genelex are also one of my favourites, probably the best KT88 out there at the moment, I have also got their version of 300B, a guess I'm a bit of a fan boy!
I can vouch for the current production 2A3-40 valves from JJ. I believe they are the best of the ones you can buy these days.
Thanks for the feedback.
I had a look here as well, as it reviews some of the valves I am interested in http://www.audiodrom.net/en/special-edition-reviews/117-the-best-12ax7-tubes-for-almost-no-money
Based on both, I have ordered a gold pin JJ ECC803S.
I also contacted the Tube Amp Doctor, and they have recommended the TAD 7025 / E83CC REDBASE HIGHGRADE Selection.
Apparently, it is a very low noise valve. I may give one a try if the ECC803S does not work out.
The JJ ECC803S has arrived. I hope to get time to listen a bit later today.
What position are you using it in Kev, phono stage, line stage?
I can finally get round to listening to my system with the JJ Tesla ECC803S tonight, now that we have power back on in the house.
I like the JJ Tesla ECC803S gold pin.
It is quiet - which to me is important in a phono stage.
The dynamics are good, and the bass is great. The sound is "crisp".
When I look at what people are starting to ask for valves, I am glad alternatives like this are available.
I have one of these, but mine is badged MAZDA, and is an STTA version - https://www.ebay.fr/itm/285179596032?hash=item4266074d00:g:nkcAAOSwv5dkDDB S&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAA4LCuN%2BrxW2T49IBCKpAYwdSFDAO 9VWz14beT9S0LX813RHvyMhAoTZdvYMS2lreOh9QGaxGpKHjxg AA2ifSnezXayqTNtPSlWKN6A4%2BlVmwVC8Yvmwz3csTBCrwwV iEO00i3LzwyNMGTsldheWdJzgKjmDneq07A6rv8VYQNEqmkbMF kKTO8fsVWdbQAvZRKdSQSxWM81h4nqRV%2B12Tag6%2FPMbjfk 3t69RUVfK%2FZGbka2OjZ15%2Fv%2FEs7hTFzu63XyGfbPVAAu eHwvl0Nncu%2BqlP0Aes2IjmuFJhMimqYyrmg%7Ctkp%3ABk9S R9CTt4DaYQ
€600 :eek::lol: :rfl:
We may all end of using JJs with the way prices are going. Their tubes do have a good strong output and measure well. I have them in the regulation stage and they are actually better there than my Teslas!
Today's NOS tube arrival.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/TqSRkMxXMNmg4EL96
I have struggled to fine new production PCC88s.
Today's NOS tube arrival.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/TqSRkMxXMNmg4EL96
I have struggled to fine new production PCC88s.
Gosh Kevin your having a tubefest, what's arrived?
Increasing prices and decreasing availability.
These were cheap compared to what is available on the market now, and are NOS Tungsram (real ones).
I have enough PCC88 now.
People are asking €50 each for these now, and I bought all 4 for that.
Increasing prices and decreasing availability.
These were cheap compared to what is available on the market now, and are NOS Tungsram (real ones).
I have enough PCC88 now.
People are asking €50 each for these now, and I bought all 4 for that.
Never tried a Tungsram tube myself. Interested to know how they sound.
The foil getters are sublime, but rare due to their age.
Anyway, I can't go mad, as I only have space left for four more valves.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/9xT45Hbh4biK5BxW8 :eyebrows::eek:
As the JJ was surprisingly good, I have ordered a JJ E83CC Frame Grid version.
This is similar to the Tesla E83CC Frame Grid, so I hope it will be a bit better
I still fancy a Tesla frame grid, but they are now going for silly money.
The JJ E83CC frame grid has arrived today, so I am going to plug it in, and leave the PS powered up for a few hours while I carry on working. I plan to have a listen later on. This could be the best value valve I own if the internet comments turn out to be true.
The JJ E83CC frame grid has arrived today, so I am going to plug it in, and leave the PS powered up for a few hours while I carry on working. I plan to have a listen later on. This could be the best value valve I own if the internet comments turn out to be true.
I have a feeling these are the tubes Croft used as standard throughout the 25 range of amplifiers. I was not impressed with them in phono stage but very good in regulation stage. They provide good consistent power but I felt they were a tad harsh and unrefined compared to the NOS Teslas I have which are on another level. In fact you would think you wee listening to a different amp with NOS Teslas:)
Yes, but NOS Tesla are 5x the price, and won’t be available for much longer.
The result may be different in the BB3, as I think Alan said that V1 was the most important valve, so the E83CC may have very little impact. Time will tell.
Yes, but NOS Tesla are 5x the price, and won’t be available for much longer.
The result may be different in the BB3, as I think Alan said that V1 was the most important valve, so the E83CC may have very little impact. Time will tell.
True it may have less impact than it does in the Croft as I presume the BB3 is reliant a bit more on jfets for its sound quality?
JFETs are only active in MC mode, but pretty sure they don’t have much impact on the sound “signature”.
If I hear little difference with a JJ tube installed, I can sell off my NOS 12AX7/S valves.
I have quite a stock built up.
My impressions are that the JJ E83CC seems a little more laid back/smoother than the RT 12AX7S that it replaced.
It may need some more hours on it though, as this was after about 6 hours.
My impressions are that the JJ E83CC seems a little more laid back/smoother than the RT 12AX7S that it replaced.
It may need some more hours on it though, as this was after about 6 hours.
The RT tubes must be quite aggressive then as JJ are quite vivid. Like you say a few hours on them may change their presentation but I would have thought they would become even smoother.
I have had a few JJ valves going awol. Usually you hear some rustling in the speakers first when amp is turned up. Should just get a nice tube rush sound:)
A few more hours later, and I am quite happy to keep the JJ E83CC frame grid tube in place.
It sounds great, and for €25, it is a bargain compared to “NOS” 12AX7 available on eBay.
A few more hours later, and I am quite happy to keep the JJ E83CC frame grid tube in place.
It sounds great, and for €25, it is a bargain compared to “NOS” 12AX7 available on eBay.
Yep they are certainly cheap tubes. Just don't try the expensive NOS.:)
Yep they are certainly cheap tubes. Just don't try the expensive NOS.:)
You had to say that, didn’t you? ;)
I have Boris Blank\Malia spinning and it sounds sublime.
I am really not sure what a real Frame Grid would give me, apart from an emptier wallet.
You had to say that, didn’t you? ;)
I have Boris Blank\Malia spinning and it sounds sublime.
I am really not sure what a real Frame Grid would give me, apart from an emptier wallet.
Convergence is a great album.;)
The JJ E83CC I have is now a dud. I am not impressed with the number of hours it lasted.
I may have typed that too early.
I may have found the real culprit….
A loose connection, as the wise Grant said.
So, casually browsing eBay, as you do, I came across a 1960’s Siemens ECC83 which was not attracting a lot of attention, and I managed to get it for a very good price. It is a really nice sounding tube.
I bought this to replace my Silver Plate Mazda, as I do not fancy paying the price the Mazda tubes are being sold at.
Obviously the Siemens is not a current production tube, but it is very good, and cost me the same as the JJ, and is probably better.
I used this site to check if it was a good tube, as not all S&H ECC83 are equal….
http://www.tube-classics.de/TC/Tubes/SieTel%20ECC83/ECC83.htm
So, casually browsing eBay, as you do, I came across a 1960’s Siemens ECC83 which was not attracting a lot of attention, and I managed to get it for a very good price. It is a really nice sounding tube.
I bought this to replace my Silver Plate Mazda, as I do not fancy paying the price the Mazda tubes are being sold at.
Obviously the Siemens is not a current production tube, but it is very good, and cost me the same as the JJ, and is probably better.
Siemens are very nice tubes. Usually expensive.
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