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Better amp or better tubes?

With this lockdown I'm finding myself and I'm sure many others listening to music more often and with that my mind has gone into upgrade mode.
My amp is a rare Quickilver 300B that must be at least 25 years old using genalax gold lion  300b tubes.
Over a year ago I sent an email to Mike sanders asking him about suggesting upgrades to the unit and surprisingly he told me if the amp is working fine to just leave it alone. We ok then.
The genalax 300b are modest in price  costing about $300 a pair and have worked flawlessly. If I were to upgrade the tubes, what direction would you suggest? To be honest, I'm a bit apprehensive in spending a lot for tubes since they can fail at anytime. Am I being overly concerned?

So, do I upgrade the tubes or amp? Amp budget of under 4k.

Thanks


emil
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,615 posts
 
I would test the tubes to see what condition they are in. Its not surprising to find that a good quality 300b has lasted 25 years; they lasted over 50 years in the intercontinental telephone trunk lines which went from the US to Europe under the sea.  But the other tubes in the amp might bear taking a look-see.
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
I think you should look at your whole system.

This^
newbee
4,751 posts
 
Take Atmasphere's advice. Freshening up power tubes can make a large difference. Just did that on my amp - same type/brand. Tightened up the bass added gain clarity in the mid range and restored the highs. The worst possible result is you will have a spare pair of tubes to hold in reserve. 

FWIW MC's advice is, IMHO, an invitation to audiophile angst.
larryi
3,742 posts
 
Although they were expensive, the 1990's Western Electric reissues are extremely durable; I know a number of people still using those after 20 years of use.  A lot depends on the design of the amp.  If it does not push tubes very hard, they will last a long time.  If hte designer tries to chase the last bit of extra power and pushes the tube near its specified maximum, life is dramatically shortened. 

 This is particularly bad news for amps running 300b tubes because there is no such thing as cheap alternatives.  Once again Western Electric reissues are being offered, but, it is not possible to know if they are as durable as original tubes or the 1990's reissue.
decooney
1,906 posts
 
@emil emil,
What do you NOT like about the current sound -or- is it just curiosity / upgrade-itis?  

Other factors that impacted my QS amps negatively or positively, assuming your speakers are good, there  are other things to review too:
-Your preamp (done), LTA very capable. Check that box for yourself.
-What coupling caps, "shhh", did Mike keep in your amps (key)?  
-Your interconnects, are they veiled over or transparent type? 
-Your input tubes, which ones are you using, brand/type/year (key)?
-Your speaker cables, brand, type, length,std or bi-wire? 
-Source: vinyl or digital, DAC, type?
-Room, placement, surfaces... 

..other places to fine tune your amps if your 300B tubes tested out ok.  Once you reveal other details, others may chime in, good luck  :) 



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