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Tubes for the BAT VK5i

I just got a BAT VK-5i here on audiogon and I'm very impressed with the unit. I hat d the tubes tested, though and they're about done for. I'm looking for tubes that will accentuate bass and detail/resolution. I'm figuring that the preamp's medeocre bass response is due to the very old tubes (they test about 58 % of new--time to go!)

I know this is going to be a big deal, but I need some ideas--and I also need to know wh. Suggestions?

Thanks!
Roland
Ag insider logo xs@2xrnbowers
kehut's avatar
kehut
668 posts
 
I was able to get all my NOS tubes here on Agon from various buyers. The best tubes were from "fat_cat"..Mike should be able to help you. Also "sam1104" talk to Sam.
"Guidosmalibu" talk to Vassil. and "zkid" Bob sometimes has nice 6L6's avail. There are the tube stores such as tubeworld and the tube store you can check out.
jfrech's avatar
jfrech
1,816 posts
 
I've bought tubes here and had great service. Even had 2 go bad 6 months later and he replaced them free. Wasn't his fault and he really took care of me. I have 2 friends and between the 3 of us I've bet we've bought 2-3k worth of tubes from BWS. We've all been happy...

http://www.bws-tube.com/
toudou's avatar
toudou
84 posts
 
Roland, check out Kevin @ Upscale Audio, I can't think of a better supplier of tubes. Very helpful and knowledgeable, Kevin will tell you exactly what you need.
Happy listening.........
David
georgemg
69 posts
 
I changed to amperex 7308 white label, and tungsol 5881, I spent $600, but the result was fenomenal, a impressive change in qaulity of sound, sweet and a full bass., some time I tried a inexpensive jan phlips 6922, but the result was poor. You can see that almost all bat vk5i woners recomend amperex and tungsol, these tubes make another kind of preamlifier.
Good luck
mhu
102 posts
 
Agree with Georgmg, the Tungsol 5881 and Amperex tubes are the way to go for the Vk-5i. For the sdj8, I went with the Orange Globe logo mixed in with some A-frame of the same type. The Orange Globe logo's overall smooth characteristic, along with the better definition of the A-frame give a nice smooth, yet focused sound. I've gotten all my tubes from Brent Jessee's recording Studio in the past. Good luck and have fun.
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