Thoughts on current production 2A3s?

[mhardy6647]

I did try searching a bit but didn't find this topic; hope you all don't mind this thread and my locating it here!

Wondering if anyone could provide any feedback on the quality/performance/value of the gamut of current production tubes being sold as 2A3s?

With my Paramours resuscitated, the only modern tubes I have any experience with are the Sovetks and the Chinese ValveArt branded tubes that originally came with the kits.

I think there are numerous choices now, but I know nothing about any of them, so any comments are greatly appreciated and gratefully received.

[Grainger49]

I bought a pair of 2A3C (Shugaung?) about a year ago.  I like the sound of them, better than the Sovtek that were in the kit to begin with.

Others will chime in about the (reported) beautiful mesh plates that are available.

[Paully]

I will just chime in to second the 2a3c for us bottom feeders.  A very nice value.  Like Grainger I don't have experience with the truly exotic 2a3 but I think I have enough experience with tubes to recognize a good value.  The Shuguang are a very nice place to start.

Don't be afraid to search the archives here:
http://www.audioasylum.com/forums/set/bbs.html

[Maxwell_E]

I've heard good things about the JJ 2A3-40. There's a store here called the Headroom and they have a nice amp with a set of those.

[InfernoSTi]

I've heard good things about the JJ 2A3-40. There's a store here called the Headroom and they have a nice amp with a set of those.

I love my JJ 2A3-40s.  Eurotube https://ssl.eurotubes.com/cart/index.php?page=view_products&category_id=3&sub_category_id=25 has the best prices I've found and are nice guys who seem to focus on guitar tubes but carry a lot of audio tubes of nice quality.  I just love this posting about them:  http://www.audioasylum.com/forums/tubediy/messages/14/148895.html

John

[jrebman]

Another vote for the JJ 2a3-40.  Very good tube for the money and I ended up keeping them over a pair of shuguang Treasure black-bottle 2a3s (premium A grade).

Eurotubes has the best prices too.

-- Jim

[braubeat]

I have a pair of the sofia 300b/2.5/n meshplate(basically a 2a3 with higher plate dissipation) . I really like them and have been listening to them for about 5 years. they're great. I have heard that the 2a3 version sounds even a little better but never heard them. I think you can get them for around $250 if you shop around.

Michael

[mhardy6647]

Thanks folks.  Sounds like the JJs are worthy of consideration.
At the moment I am using one RCA Radiotron and one Philco (both dual plate) that I bought used (and cheap) years ago from a fellow New England hifi nut.  They are good sounding tubes, but their long-term viability is an unknown.