I would like to take that chance. I would like to hear NOS up against a well made contemporary tube.You might get lucky and find something new that stacks up with the old stock US-made stuff. But like Salectric pointed out, at ~ $20 a tube for either new production or NOS, I wouldn't take a chance on anything currently being made.
It seems like you will need to do the tests yourself. I would be very interested in your findings. As for myself i will stick with the RCA red base 5691I would like to take that chance. I would like to hear NOS up against a well made contemporary tube.
Still looking for someone who can recommend from experience with specific contemporary manufacturers of 6SL7
I'm running JJ 2a3-40 tubes. From what I understand they're also closer to a 300b with a 2.5v filiment. Also not NOSWell --
(FWIW) I do use goofy looking Chinese 2A3s in my amplifer(s). The "Sofia" (TJ) so-called "meshplates" -- actually more like perforated plates. They're actually more like 300Bs with 2.5 volt filaments than they are "proper" 2A3s.
They're neither the cheapest nor the most expensive possible option, and they're very silly looking -- but they do sound good... and they've held up well, so far.
Top-quality NOS 2A3s have gotten to be rather uncommon and consequently rather pricey, though.
They're supposed to be very good. I am planning (as much as I plan anything) to try a pair when the Sofia/TJ tubes bite the dust.I'm running JJ 2a3-40 tubes. From what I understand they're also closer to a 300b with a 2.5v filiment. Also not NOS
They're supposed to be very good. I am planning (as much as I plan anything) to try a pair when the Sofia/TJ tubes bite the dust.
but I digress...
"Disgusting" seems a little hyperbolic, but it does make one wonder about the provenance of these tubesGot a pair of each of those so called reissues and compared them with my old noisy almost dead Tung Sol 6SN7GTand 6SL7GT.
The new ones are at least 3/8" taller, the shape, length of the plates, and rods don't even remotely resemble the old ones. Looks like a different tube type altogether. Heck even the stubby sovtek 6SL7GT looks more like a real vintage TungSol 6SL7GT.
They sound OK, but passing off as reissues? That's a bit disgusting.
In context though, this is the only negative feedback in a thread which otherwise praises Electro Harmonix and Tung Sol and their 6s*7 tubesInteresting discussion of the current "Tung-Sol" (Russian) 6SL7 tubes, apropos of this thread:
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/tubes-valves/1290-production-6sl7-6sn7.html
post 18 to that thread, I thought, was interesting.
"Disgusting" seems a little hyperbolic, but it does make one wonder about the provenance of these tubes
Offered strictly as-is; I have zero experience with these or any of the other current production tubes being sold under classic brand names, for that matter.