5AR4 rectifier tubes - Chinese or Russian?


I'm needing to replace 2 - 5AR4 rectifier tubes in my Primaluna Prologue 3 preamp. Kevin at Upscale Audio has both the Sovtek and Shuguang tubes for $15 bucks each. The next step up is the Japanese tube at $45 each.

The tubes I'm replacing are original so I assume they are the Chinese model and I haven't tried rolling in any others. Should I stick with the Sovtek/Shuguang or step up to the Japanese or other tube replacements?

Eric
tubetan

Showing 1 response by tubeo

I agree with Rodman99999 .

I have Mullard 5AR4/GZ34 Tubes [ Amperex - Holland are nice also and fall into the same Class ] that were well used when I bought them and have been in service for 7+ years in my System . They still Test as New and will probably outlast me .

If you can find NOS - NIB great , but you will pay big time for them . I suggest buying New Testing Used for $25-$35 . They DO have a better sound than the New Production Tubes that I have tried and have a much longer life-span .