NOSValves Posted April 10, 2009 Share Posted April 10, 2009 I have been running the Genalex reissues for 8 months now and they have been fantastic. Sonically I haven't really noticed a tremendous difference, but they seem to be more steady, as I have only had to bias them a couple of times, whereas the last bunch on Valve Arts were all over the place. From my understanding though the VA's are more reliable once again. I have to be honest with the lights out I love the blue glow of the Valve Arts and the fact that it saves me a few bucks compared to the Genalex reissues. If you still have the original Valve Art's take a look at them and see if the lower side of the tubes (one side) have a getter silvering like the top of the tubes. They changed the construction of the Valve Art a while back and eliminated the side silvering and side getter wring (they changed it to two getter wrings up top instead on one up top and one on the side). The early production of this new version was a bit flaky I found out in time. The current crop has been working fine. My bet is you ended up with some of the early production of the new version. Craig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowntnbkr Posted April 10, 2009 Share Posted April 10, 2009 Yepper, that is exactly what I have. Actually I have a hodgepodge. The bad one has the side getter, another has a side getter as well and is silvering, and two are of the new type without the side getter. They were a matched quad, but apparently of different styles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seti Posted April 10, 2009 Share Posted April 10, 2009 I had a quad of the early Valve Arts and two of them failed within a few months. This was a few years ago. Currently I have a quad of Valve Art 350Bs which have been flawless for about two years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted April 11, 2009 Share Posted April 11, 2009 Yepper, that is exactly what I have. Actually I have a hodgepodge. The bad one has the side getter, another has a side getter as well and is silvering, and two are of the new type without the side getter. They were a matched quad, but apparently of different styles. Is this the original set I supplied to you with the amp? If so gosh Darn AES..... I'm even more shocked I didn't notice that the quad was not all the same construction type during burn in. But really the side silvering is usually on the back of the tubes when installed in the amp and other then that feature they look identical.... way to late to complain and get something done about it now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted April 11, 2009 Share Posted April 11, 2009 I had a quad of the early Valve Arts and two of them failed within a few months. This was a few years ago. Currently I have a quad of Valve Art 350Bs which have been flawless for about two years. That happens with all makes of tubes! That is why you purchase them from reputable sellers and get them replaced if they fail within 6 months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seti Posted April 11, 2009 Share Posted April 11, 2009 I had a quad of the early Valve Arts and two of them failed within a few months. This was a few years ago. Currently I have a quad of Valve Art 350Bs which have been flawless for about two years. That happens with all makes of tubes! That is why you purchase them from reputable sellers and get them replaced if they fail within 6 months. You are correct. They wouldn't replace them for me so I exclusively started buying Brent Jessie for vintage and TubeDepot for new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 I had a quad of the early Valve Arts and two of them failed within a few months. This was a few years ago. Currently I have a quad of Valve Art 350Bs which have been flawless for about two years. That happens with all makes of tubes! That is why you purchase them from reputable sellers and get them replaced if they fail within 6 months. You are correct. They wouldn't replace them for me so I exclusively started buying Brent Jessie for vintage and TubeDepot for new. That's a bummer.... Give Doug and www.dougstubes.com a try..... His burn in method really helps limit early failure problems in my experience. Another problem that often cause premature failure with large output tubes is the jarring they take in shipping from the seller to you. Craig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deang Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 I second dealing with Doug -- a class act all the way and really lowers the hassle factor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowntnbkr Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 Craig, No, it was not the originals that came with the VRD's. One of them quit a couple of years ago, so I just got a complete matched quad, and those are the ones that were bad. One of the original KT88's died a couple of years ago, so I just replaced them all with a matched quad and it was that set that was bad. I just thought about it, I can't believe I have had them for around 4 years now. Since getting into this music endeavor over the last 41/2 years I have had alot of gear, multiple pre's, TT's,CD players, speakers......the VRD's have been the one constant in my setup, I guess it is a testament to the amps and the builder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DizRotus Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 Craig, You've probably mentioned this elsewhere, but where in Northern Michigan are you now? I always intended to get to Burton some day to meet you in your natural habitat. Too late for that now. Since you didn't indicate UP, I'm guessing you're still below the bridge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audio Flynn Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 Craig, You've probably mentioned this elsewhere, but where in Northern Michigan are you now? I always intended to get to Burton some day to meet you in your natural habitat. Too late for that now. Since you didn't indicate UP, I'm guessing you're still below the bridge. Address is on the NOSVALVES site. Moving day is tommorrow. I do not expect to hear from him on the web for a few days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whell Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 Craig, You've probably mentioned this elsewhere, but where in Northern Michigan are you now? I always intended to get to Burton some day to meet you in your natural habitat. Too late for that now. Since you didn't indicate UP, I'm guessing you're still below the bridge. Think "middle of effin' nowhere, east side of the lower peninsula", and you've got it about right. [] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarheel Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 you're still below the bridge. I know times are hard....but Craig is living under a bridge? Maybe we can take up a collection[:^)] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seti Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 I forgot about Dougs Tubes. I've used them for new tubes as well. Good expeerience with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted April 17, 2009 Share Posted April 17, 2009 I know times are hard....but Craig is living under a bridge? Maybe we can take up a collection Payment can be sent via paypal craig@underabridge.com [:#] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted April 17, 2009 Share Posted April 17, 2009 Think "middle of effin' nowhere, east side of the lower peninsula", and you've got it about right. Someone sounds jealous....[] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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