2. amps-preamps
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Best 845 tube out there?

I am running a pair of Cary CAD-211AE monoblocks with the standard no-name Chinese tubes shipped by Cary. Whilst I am happy with the sound, I think I should buy a pair of 845's to keep as backup in case something happens to these tubes.

Because I will need to buy FOUR of them, this rules out any tube that sells for stupid money (e.g. vintage RCA 845 tubes).

The only current production 845's I am aware of are:

- Shuguang 845 "standard"
- Shuguang 845B
- Shuguang 845C
- Shuguang PSVANE 845
- KR Audio 845

I have found reviews of the Shuguang 845B and 845C, but there is virtually no information out there on the new Shuguang "psvane" 845. Has anybody heard this valve, and is it a noticable improvement over the 845B and C? Also, what do people think of the KR?
amfibius

Showing 4 responses by gopher

gopher
499 posts
 
"After approx. 2 weeks, my very positive view of the 845Ts has not
changed. There's been no break-in change that I can detect. "

I just received a pair of 845-Ts today and I am sincerely hoping my findings with respect to break-in do not mirror yours. They aren't bad for new tubes, but I definitely congested, a little shouty and just kind of off...

I can detect the harmonic richness, and improved soundstage over the 845Bs right off the bat, but things definitely need to relax to get my nod.
gopher
499 posts
 
I missed it, but I am very glad to read it now. :)
gopher
499 posts
 
Are there any new opinions on the 845-Ts? I've still chewing on my thoughts, but so far they are not a slam dunk preference over the 845Bs they replaced in my Shuguang S845 MK monoblocks.
gopher
499 posts
 
Having some luck with the 845-T after all. I changed the PCs on my monoblocks and rolled the tube in my DAC (ironically to a Pavane 12au7 which I did NOT like initially) and things are gelling nicely.

I have got my tonal colors back, with similar warmth, better resolution, extension and staging. It also may feel a touch more dynamic.

Other variables were changed to make it work, so I don't think I can attribute everything to the power tubes, but as I listened last night I felt the net change was positive.
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