I might be sold on...

[misterwhizzy]

...Chinese EL34's.

I had a set of EHX 6CA7's go out on me, and I had a pair of Tung-Sol's ready to go. After swapping them out and biasing the Tung-Sols, they were super noisy to the point it was taking away the fun of playing through a roaring Marshall. I didn't even know that was possible. But I read a couple of reviews, ordered a pair of Chinese EL34's, and I'll be damned if they aren't super articulate and crunchy, just like what I'd hoped. The Tung-Sols were incredibly mid-focused, and the Chinese seem much more balanced.

If these have a decent lifespan, they may be my new go-to.

 

[Top-L]

Power tubes change over lifetime. The Tung Sols may have lost top and bottom over the years.

Probably best to find chinese tubes you are happy with, NOS will go away eventually.

 

[Chris Pile]

Anyone lamenting the loss of American vacuum tube manufacturing?