greg928gts Posted September 17, 2009 Share Posted September 17, 2009 I'm going to re-tube my Horus 2A3 SET monobloc amps and I'm just wondering where I should buy the tubes. Greg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cut-Throat Posted September 17, 2009 Share Posted September 17, 2009 Greg, If you looking for the Shugang 2A3C that we discussed. Here is a link If you want some RCA Blackplates or other driver tubes, I'd go through E-bay. Tubes are exceptionally robust and I have quite a few pairs of tubes made in the 1920's thru 1950's and they play beautifully. I've also had good luck with Sophia Electric tubes. Heres a pair I've bought a Lot of tubes on E-bay and have been very satisfied. You will run into the occasional Jerk, but over 98% of my transactions I have been very happy with. Also I am never afraid to buy more tubes than I need. The prices of Old Stock Tubes continues to climb and MY stash of tubes has done far better than my portfolio of Stocks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvel Posted September 17, 2009 Share Posted September 17, 2009 The prices of Old Stock Tubes continues to climb and MY stash of tubes has done far better than my portfolio of Stocks. Just the reverse of going down the tubes, eh?I want to get another pair of GZ37 for my Moondogs, but haven't found what I like yet. Bruce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcmusic Posted September 17, 2009 Share Posted September 17, 2009 Greg, I can't say enough about Sophia Electric!!!! I use one of their 300B amps and the mesh tubes have that magic!!! Jay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg928gts Posted September 17, 2009 Author Share Posted September 17, 2009 Thanks everyone. I'm skeptical about low priced 2A3's. I don't want to compromise, I'm willing to pay for very good sounding tubes. What about JJ? I had AVVT's and I really liked them. I also had KR's and I liked those too, although one developed a short way before it should have. I had Sovtek's and I didn't like those as much. So where is a good place to buy these tubes? Tube Depot? Is it important for the tubes to be tested and matched, and if so, which seller does a good job with this? Greg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kudret Posted September 17, 2009 Share Posted September 17, 2009 Greg,Shuguang 2A3C is my favorite. superTNT has them for $80/pair + about $50 shipping. I hear that Emission Labs 2A3 mesh plate is one of the best, but at that price it better be. Kudret 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcmusic Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 Thanks everyone. I'm skeptical about low priced 2A3's. I don't want to compromise, I'm willing to pay for very good sounding tubes. What about JJ? I had AVVT's and I really liked them. I also had KR's and I liked those too, although one developed a short way before it should have. I had Sovtek's and I didn't like those as much. So where is a good place to buy these tubes? Tube Depot? Is it important for the tubes to be tested and matched, and if so, which seller does a good job with this? Greg Hi Greg,Yes it is important for your output tubes to be matched as close as possible!!! If you are going to get any matched tubes the output ones are in my opinion are the most important for proper sound. Jay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kudret Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 I also had KR's and I liked those too, although one developed a short way before it should have. I bought a pair of new and matched KR 2A3 tubes a few years ago. I never used them. While one still measure as new the other is measuring way lower now. Is it important for the tubes to be tested and matched, and if so, which seller does a good job with this? Don't you need only one tube in each amp? I thought matching is important if you have a PP amp, like my SETH 2A3. Kudret 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cut-Throat Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 Greg,Shuguang 2A3C is my favorite. superTNT has them for $80/pair + about $50 shipping.I hear that Emission Labs 2A3 mesh plate is one of the best, but at that price it better be. Kudret Kudret, I looked at their website and was not sure that these were Shuguang Tubes. They had a lot of tubes on their site, but none of them seemed to have a brand. Just a number. BTW - You never told me what you ended up doing with the Moondogs. Do you still have them and like them. Which amps do you prefer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clipped and Shorn Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 Re: Sophia Electric, I second this opinion for their 300B. The carbon plate is superb. -znx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cut-Throat Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 Thanks everyone. I'm skeptical about low priced 2A3's. I don't want to compromise, I'm willing to pay for very good sounding tubes. What about JJ? I had AVVT's and I really liked them. I also had KR's and I liked those too, although one developed a short way before it should have. I had Sovtek's and I didn't like those as much. So where is a good place to buy these tubes? Tube Depot? Is it important for the tubes to be tested and matched, and if so, which seller does a good job with this? Greg I don't think you can go wrong with the 2A3C Shugaung tubes or Sophia Electric. I always keep a cheaper backup pair. If you want Old Stock, it is hard to beat the RCA Blackplates. Don't worry about matching. A highly over-rated topic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kudret Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 Kudret, I looked at their website and was not sure that these were Shuguang Tubes. They had a lot of tubes on their site, but none of them seemed to have a brand. Just a number. BTW - You never told me what you ended up doing with the Moondogs. Do you still have them and like them. Which amps do you prefer? Kevin, 2A3C tubes shown on their website are made by Shuguang. I've been using them for last coupe of years and like them very much. I would love to try Emission Labs 2A3 mesh plate. One day... Yes, I still have the Moondogs. They are very special, as you know. They are just a different flavor. SETH has fuller sound and I find them more musical. Moondogs seem to have a bit more detail and tighter bass. I use SETH for powering the top sections of Jubilees. Kudret . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cut-Throat Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 Kudret, I looked at their website and was not sure that these were Shuguang Tubes. They had a lot of tubes on their site, but none of them seemed to have a brand. Just a number. BTW - You never told me what you ended up doing with the Moondogs. Do you still have them and like them. Which amps do you prefer? Kevin, 2A3C tubes shown on their website are made by Shuguang. I've been using them for last coupe of years and like them very much. I would love to try Emission Labs 2A3 mesh plate. One day... Yes, I still have the Moondogs. They are very special, as you know. They are just a different flavor. SETH has fuller sound and I find them more musical. Moondogs seem to have a bit more detail and tighter bass. I use SETH for powering the top sections of Jubilees. Kudret . Yes, I agree on the 2A3C Shuguang Tubes. I bought a pair years ago when they first came out and am still using them. As I remember you had re-finished the Moondogs to a very attractive finish. If you have a picture of the completed amps, I'd like to see them. I also have a pair of Moondogs that I will probably keep forever. I also recently acquired a pair of Welborne Laurels - 300b monoblocks that I like as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcmusic Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 Do you have one of their 300B amps? Have you ever tried the mesh tubes? How do the carbon plates sound compared to the meshies? Jay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cut-Throat Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 Not sure if this question is for me, but I do have a pair of Welborne Laurel 300b Monoblocks. I am currently using a pair of Sophia Electric Princess 300b Mesh Plates in them. Working very well so far. Have not tried the Carbon Plates. But the Mesh Plates look real cool in the dark![] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsp1068 Posted September 19, 2009 Share Posted September 19, 2009 www.audiotubes.com aka Brent Jesse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvel Posted September 19, 2009 Share Posted September 19, 2009 I've been using the EH 2A3 Golds in my Moondogs, and have been quite happy with them, although I see they are running around $130 a pair. I'm currently running my LS on SS. A little sterile sounding, but tons of detail. Tight bass. I think I like the Moondogs a lot more... they are really special. Bruce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captmobley Posted September 19, 2009 Share Posted September 19, 2009 did you try dr. Cilantro on the forums-he usually has a ton-checked and tested Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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