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In Reply to: New vs. NOS --worth the $$$? posted by DLC on January 16, 2003 at 11:02:38:
DLC,I have a very original ST70 that I am collecting components for.
As I have never heard an ST70, I plan to get it into the best possible stock condition first. With power output tubes, I plan to use the JJ version, probably a nice set from our Uncle Ned. These have gotten strongly favourable reviews as being a high percentage of the sound quality of NOS. Life-expectancy I don't know.
My belief is that modern output tubes are satisfactory- good sound and reliable thanks to guitar amplifier users. The 3X cost of NOS and the difficulty in getting matching sets to me does not seem worthwhile.
As for NOS in the ST70, I think that a NOS Mullard GZ34 rectifier is worth the investment- $75 or so and it will provide great sound for the next 40 years. The Mullard in my ST70 came with the kit in 1964. But while I'm fiddling with the ST70, there will be a Sovtek in the socket just in case! Also, if you are keeping the 7199 circuit (I am at first), the old RCA black plate 7199s are probably also a good investment. These are running about $25-28 now NOS. I have a couple of Sylvanias (one with gold pins!) too as testing tubes and these were not more expensive NOS than new Sovteks.
Cheers,
Bambi B
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Follow Ups
- Re: New vs. NOS --worth the $$$? - Bambi B 01/16/0311:45:47 01/16/03 (3)
- EL34 Reviews - Bambi B 11:53:17 01/16/03 (2)
- Re: EL34 Reviews - DLC 12:08:20 01/16/03 (1)
- Smart decision! - old geezer 23:12:22 01/18/03 (0)