TOOB EF86 Recommendations

[Ed_Chambley]

I am in the process of building a couple of amps using EF86 tubes.  I need to get a few, but  I have never really A/B any of them.  What is your favorite?  Why?

[jojokeo]

Hi Ed! It doesn't matter if they are Mullard, Valvo, Heath, Hoffman, Amperex, Phillips, GE, RCA, Hammond, Miniwatt, GEC, Radiotechnique, Brimar, Siemans, or other osbscure names on the label. I have all of these in the same tube and/or tube structure with all of these brands' labels on them and they all perform and sound almost exactly the same to each other. When you see that particular screen mesh you instantly know these are the real deal big daddy w/ the fat tone, transparent high gain, and ungodly harmonic content. They are simply the best and those little buggars err bugglers are my fav because they're so cool and they know it - tootin' their own horns so to speak. 

[Ed_Chambley]

Thanks Joe.  I replaced v1 in a MarshalSoldanoTweed build with one I had laying around.  Had to play with resistors, but I really like the results.  The tube added so much to the upper mids.

[jojokeo]

When you look at the price for most of the newer tubes out there you can find the old NOS or ANOS for even less $$$ on the bay.

[Davidg]

ed-check out my post in 18watt TMB thread for a link to some good cheap ones