A recent purchase of a pair of monoblock tube amplifiers for $1k with JAN tubes installed (and touted by the seller to be outstanding) proved to be truly a sonic disappointment. However, the installation of NOS Amperex tubes improved the audio reproduction dramatically. The difference is so remarkable that the amplifiers now compare favorably in A/B tests with a well respected brand which sells in the $5k range. The moral of the story is not to dismiss the potential improvement those expensive tubes can make.
Conquered the itch for high$ NOS
I've been using NOS Amperex for the past 2 years. The last pair I bought was $250 a pair. They've been in my system less than a year when I changed them out with a pair of EH6922's I've had in the drawer. That made it obvious that my precious NOS tubes were on their way out.
In less than a year they had become bland and overly bass heavy so I began to look around for replacements. Wow, this years price seems to be around $300 to $350 for a comparable replacement. And it's no guarantee that the new tubes will have the qualities I'm looking for so I've had it, I'm done.
But you know what? I'm really enjoying my system with the EH6922's. Great dynamics and pace with better bass definition for a much lower price. I leave the system on all day listening to XM without worrying about those precious NOS. I feel like I kicked a bad habit.
In less than a year they had become bland and overly bass heavy so I began to look around for replacements. Wow, this years price seems to be around $300 to $350 for a comparable replacement. And it's no guarantee that the new tubes will have the qualities I'm looking for so I've had it, I'm done.
But you know what? I'm really enjoying my system with the EH6922's. Great dynamics and pace with better bass definition for a much lower price. I leave the system on all day listening to XM without worrying about those precious NOS. I feel like I kicked a bad habit.