New Production Tubes..Is there much of a difference?

[JustMike]

 I have heard a difference between new prod. JJ 6L6's and old RCA's. But if I were to retube an amp with new production EH or JJ, Mullard, Ruby, Sovtek, Tung Sol etc. is there much of an audible difference "between these"?

[acheld]

I have heard a difference between new prod. JJ 6L6's and old RCA's. But if I were to retube an amp with new production EH or JJ, Mullard, Ruby, Sovtek, Tung Sol etc. is there much of an audible difference?

   It depends on your ears!

I do use new production tubes for the most part, as I don't want to spend the $ on NOS.  Frankly, if I could hear any difference, it is small.   

For new production tubes, I don't hear much of a difference between different brands; though I admit I avoid China tubes.  There are some circumstances where I acquire some new production tubes and I don't like the sound, for some reason, but this is rare.

Lots of folks go on and on about the virtue of a particular brand, but that won't be me.  Not saying that there aren't differences, just that the differences tend to be small enough to fall into the cork sniffing category.   Not worth the expense to me.

Now, I do like those JAN 5751's and other small bottle JAN tubes . . . but that's just cause GO NAVY, BEAT ARMY. 

[dude]

Well, I have a different view on NOS vintage tubes, Mullard 12ax7's are much better sounding in first position than current production, to my ears. ACHELD is right, tone is in ones ears, what one would like the other doesn't. NOS RCA Black Plates, IMO, are one of the best sounding 6L6's ever made, NOS small bottle GE-6L6CG's are great too.  Affordability is a problem, prices are way high so now-a-day musicians can't afford $300 or more for RCA Black Plates. Plus what you get used is pot luck, I have got lucky on ebay but that was years ago. Today ebay has mostly half shot vintage used tubes for high prices.
I wouldn't recommend buying used NOS tubes on ebay, but once in a while you'll come across them in swap meets and the like but rarely today.

[Loomer]

My understanding is that any tube from a different source will sound different to a degree. Definitely heard of people switching out for old GE or Mullards but preferring the new production JJs they had.

The one thing most seem to agree upon when comparing new production and NOS is that the latter tend to have a longer life expectancy and be more dependable/sturdier.

[HotBluePlates]

... if I were to retube an amp with _____ is there much of an audible difference?

It depends on the amp.

   If the tube is wrapped in feedback (like many output sections, and a few preamp sections), there's little difference.

   If the tube is in a circuit with heavy EQ (like the many bass/treble roll-offs in high-gain preamps), there's little difference.

   If the tube is used late in a circuit, there might be less difference than when used early in a circuit (with more amplification following the tube).

   The amount of distortion might mask the sonic difference (or enhance it in some cases); volume might make a big difference.


If you want to try "different tubes" have at it.  The most important factor is buying from a vendor with a string return policy, that will protect you in the event of an early failure.  Otherwise, application and preference will be the deciding factors.

[JustMike]

 I'm really referring to current production output tubes like 6l6's & EL34's. No argument that there's a difference between new and old tubes.

[acheld]

I'm really referring to current production output tubes like 6l6's & EL34's. No argument that there's a difference between new and old tubes.

My personal view is that there is not a significant difference between current production 6L6GT's and EL34's.   Most folks that I talk to "do" have a preference, and are convinced that "their" brand is the best.  I'm ok with that.

I have not used many tubes from China, but have had some unfortunate events in the past that may or may not represent current production standards.   There are definitely some good tubes from China in the HiFi world.