Matched vs. Unmatched...Big Diff?

[btol]

Hey All,

So I have a Heathkit AA-32 that I love. It runs off four EL86's and three 6EU7's. I'm not as concerned about the 6eu7's but I'd like to buy a set of four EL86's as backup for whenever the current EL86's crap out (I must admit, I partly want to do a little tube rolling too).

Here's my question: Is purchasing a MATCHED quad of NOS EL86's going to be a huge step up sonically from purchasing just four of the same NOS EL86's? Obviously, price point is the issue. With EL86's being on the harder to find side, I've seen a matched quad on the auction site go for upwards of $200 bucks. Taking a look recently, though, there are a couple sets of unmatched NOS EL86's that look interesting. Here they are:

1. http://www.ebay.com/itm/360532136838?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

2. http://www.ebay.com/itm/140664466776?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

3. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sleeve-of-N...pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item2325aa922d

4. http://www.ebay.com/itm/AMPEREX-EL6...pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item1c2e2e47ea

What do you all think? Should I go for one of these, and if so which set? Or would I be better off just putting the money towards a proper matched quad?

Thanks in advance!

Bryan

 

[vinylkid58]

The only schem. I can find shows the aa-32 running ECL86's for driver/output tubes. It's a triode+pentode in one bottle, quite a bit different than an EL86. Has your amp been modified?

jeff

 

[btol]

Oh crap. Sorry. I meant to type ECL86's all along but mixed them up with EL86's. Edit coming!

 

[btol]

Well, there goes that! Looked at ECL86's on that site to sub in for the EL86 links that I inserted and there aren't any quads that aren't $150 and above. Sorry about the brain fart, all. Not sure if the mods just want to delete this...