[Frihed89]

Quote:

I been reading this thread with enthusiasm  and I was wondering what is the best sounding 2A3 so far. I have seen favorites include RCA and Sylvania tubes. What sounds the fullest with best bass and midrange. Usually he top end will follow suit.  Also have you found any reliable vendors with stash for sale?

AVVT meshplates, but no longer available.

 

[Frank I]

Quote:

Ken Rads are nice for that full sounding bass. For full midrange, RCA monoplates are drool-worthy.

I have a very special NOS tube incoming. Expect some pics in about a week...

Where have you been finding those tubes

 

[drheadphone]

Brent Jessee, eBay, sometimes both! Local sellers, too.

I just missed out on AVVT's.

 

[Bigsecret]

Quote:

 
Strike the Psvane off my experimental list! My wallet thanks you.
 
Get some gray-plate Sylvania's for the T1's.

Thanks for the tube recommendation. Too bad about those Psvanes. Before developing the problems, they were really lush and rich sounding with deep decay and sparkly top end. I am trying to figure out what would sound similar without the reliabilty issue.

 

[drheadphone]

Thanks for the tube recommendation. Too bad about those Psvanes. Before developing the problems, they were really lush and rich sounding with deep decay and sparkly top end. I am trying to figure out what would sound similar without the reliabilty issue.

Sounds you described the Sophia Princess Mesh Plate.

On the old stock front, a pair of Ken Rads or RCAs might be to your liking, going by your taste. But I prefer the more balanced sound of black S-plate Sylvania's and think the T1 would sound perfect with them. The gray-plates will give you a lighter, sweeter sound with more air.

 

[SleepyOne]

Quote:

I thought I would alert you all to a potential problem with the new Psvane Mk II tubes. The pair I purchased developed a spitting/sputtering noise after a bit of burn in (6-10 hrs). I thought it was amp but no problem with stock tubes. I purchased from tube-sale.com and when I complained that one tube was bad they sent me another. When all three started having problems I asked for refund. And, they are happy to give me a refund if I return the tubes. Problem is, the shipping back to China is over $200. So, even with refund, I only get $100 back on my $300+ purchase. Ouch! In fairness, they are trying to figure out a way around this but haven't done so yet.
 
Donald has the tubes right now and experienced same problem in his Stratus. I don't know the problem but I won't be purchasing tubes from China any time soon. The tubes sounded really sweet before developing the problem, by the way. If you want to give these tubes a try I would recommend purchasing from a US distributor in case you have he same problem I had.

 
Thank you for the warning! Looks like EML or Sophia then...

 

[Bigsecret]

Quote:

Sounds you described the Sophia Princess Mesh Plate.

On the old stock front, a pair of Ken Rads or RCAs might be to your liking, going by your taste. But I prefer the more balanced sound of black S-plate Sylvania's and think the T1 would sound perfect with them. The gray-plates will give you a lighter, sweeter sound with more air.

Thanks again. I have heard others suggest EML solid plate for T1s and Sophia Princess Mesh Plate for HD800. I'm also wondering about the expensive NOS RCA monoplates. I did a little math, and based on tubes lasting approx. 5000 hrs., that would take about 25 yrs at my normal listening frequency. Might make it worth the investment if they are that good. But maybe EMLs would be just as good at half the price (of RCA monos).

 

[drheadphone]

As a starter, I would definitely go value first. Get the EMLs and maybe a pair of RCA S-plates for a taste of the RCA sound. If the RCAs are to your liking, you can upgrade to monoplates later on.

 

[santacore]

I love my EML mesh plates and T1's.
 

 

[econparanoia]

For HD800, I prefer the Shuguang Natural Sound 2A3s to the EML 2A3 Meshplates. The Shuguang 2A3s are more pleasant and relaxing to listen to. The EML 2A3 Meshplates can be a bit fatiguing at times with HD800.

 

[Frihed89]

Donald,
 
You mentioned some worries about the electrical characteristics of the AVVTs.  Here are the design measurements.  Do you see anything to be alarmed about in these specs?  I have heard stories about bad QA, but then only the bad tubes ever get reported - a bias.
 
 
 

AV 2A3M    Filament Ratings
Filament Voltage	2.5 Volt  (AC or DC)
Filament Current	2.5 Ampere

AV 2A3M     Maximum Conditions  See  Note 3
Plate Voltage	450Volt
Plate Current	130mA
Plate Dissipation	16Watt
Power Output in Class A	5.5 Watt

AV 2A3M    Typical Data
Plate Voltage	250V
Plate Dissipation	12,5 Watt
Plate Current	60mA
Grid Voltage	-45Volt
Plate Impedance	800 Ohm
Amplification Factor	4,1
Transconductance	5,2 mA/V
Load Impedance	2400...5500 Ohms
Grid Resistor	100k Ohm
Operating Lifetime	40.000 hours

AV 2A3M    Mechanical Data
Size	170 x 60mm (Incl.Socket)
Weight	120 Gram

 

[Donald North]

These specs look reasonable and are similar to the standard 2A3 spec. However, I once had a quad of the AVVT 2A3M with the beautiful blue glass and measured very differently with my Amplitrex tube tester. Under the standard bias condition: 250V plate, -45V grid, they drew MUCH more than 60mA plate current and would burn up quickly in a typical auto-bias amplifier. For my quad set, they would have needed to be used in an amplifier with user-adjustable bias. Be careful!
 

 

[Bigsecret]

Quote:

As a starter, I would definitely go value first. Get the EMLs and maybe a pair of RCA S-plates for a taste of the RCA sound. If the RCAs are to your liking, you can upgrade to monoplates later on.

I just ordered a matched pair of NOS RCA dual black plates from Brent Jessee. I'm looking forward to hearing these older tubes. It seems odd to me that no one can make tubes in 2013 equal to the tubes made in the 40's and 50's. Unless, of course, there are materials and processes that are no longer possible due to health or safety regulations. I'm looking forward to hearing tubes that might be older than me. Yikes!

 

[Frihed89]

Another new order.  Whatever will i do with my tried and true SingePower MPX3?  It continues to be my benchmark...until the Stratus arrives, hopefully.

 

[Frank I]

Quote:

Another new order.  Whatever will i do with my tried and true SingePower MPX3?  It continues to be my benchmark...until the Stratus arrives, hopefully.

It is an excellent amplifier.  The Stratus I am bringing to the NY meet on Saturday as Donald is flying in and there are 91 attending. I have been listening and enjoying for a few days and ordered one as well. I am keeping my other amps as well.  This is Donald new demo he built and its going to Vancouver next. I already started to seek out some 2A3 so looking for suggestions. George Lentz is coming Saturday to NY meet with the EML solid pilate 2A3 tubes so I will get to listen to them on Saturday as well.