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Re: JJ 2A3 sonics

Posted by Deco-Doctor (A) on January 19, 2006 at 10:22:08

In Reply to: JJ 2A3 sonics posted by JJ Triode on January 18, 2006 at 09:59:40:

Hi

I can compare the JJ 2A3-40 against the Sovtek 2A3, the Valve art 2A3 and a pair of NOS Sylvania black bi-plates.

I think the construction of the JJ tubes is very good, despite the slightly 'wobbly' feel to the fit between the base and the glass envelope caused by the silicon glue, the weight of them tells me that the glass is very thick. My only reservation here is that the pins seem a little short, such that they don't seem a very solid fit in the socket.

With regard to hum they are very quiet, less than 2mV noise and hum in my all AC heated DIY parafeed amplifier.

Sonically they are much better than the Sovteks, they have a gorgeous wide open sound stage and a full rich tone, the Sovteks sound thin and recessed by comparison. It is very difficult to hear much difference between the JJ's and the NOS black plate Sylvania's ,although I think the JJ's have just a slight edge over the Sylvania's, but its very difficult to hear the difference.

I am using a classic 2A3 operating point in my amplifier, 250V and 60 mA plate voltage/current so the JJ's are not at all stressed at 15 watts dissipation.

I would say that they represent good value for money. NOS bi-plate 2A3's are selling around the 190 US dollar point on ebay at the moment, for this you don't normally get any warranty, so you are taking a risk that the tubes you get will be OK when you plug em in your amplifier! And as with all NOS tubes that have been 'tested' it does not mean that will sound OK in an amplifier, or will last any length of time.

I paid 195 US$ for my pair of JJ 2A3-40's just over a year ago, they have many hours on them now and they still sound fantastic.

As for the chinese Valve Art 2A3's, well they are of very poor quality in my opinion. I have two pairs of these and all of them got noisy after about 20 hours or so (strange popping and clicking noises) they also have some odd light blue lighting affects going on inside the top mica (accompanied by pop noises), very pretty with the lights down low, but they don't sound very good.

I Hope this will give you some idea.

Martin

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