What 2a3 ?

[Nikon1975]

I want to buy a pair of 2a3 for my Tubelab SE amp.

I found locally the following choices:
1) NOS JJ 2A3-40 $320
2) Sovtek $75
3) Golden Dragon Premium $160
4) EH $110
5) Tronal $190

Then there are also Full Music and KR, but far more expensive.

What do you recommend ?

Thanks,

Davide

[Frank Berry]

Antique Electronic Supply has the JJ 2A3-40 tubes for $242.50/pair.
Shipping to Tokyo would add a significant amount.
I've never used the JJ 2A3-40 tubes. I am using their 7591's. They're good.

[levelfive]

My five cents:

2A3C Mono Plate Shuguang $108
Sophia 2A3 Mesh Plate $195

Regards, Konstantin

[tinitus]

Originally Posted by Nikon1975

1) NOS JJ 2A3-40 $320

I dont think there could be a JJ NOS, but only a Tesla NOS unless they actually are Tesla NOS tubes relabelled by JJ ?

[45]

Originally Posted by Nikon1975

I want to buy a pair of 2a3 for my Tubelab SE amp.

I found locally the following choices:
1) NOS JJ 2A3-40 $320
2) Sovtek $75
3) Golden Dragon Premium $160
4) EH $110
5) Tronal $190

Then there are also Full Music and KR, but far more expensive.

What do you recommend ?

Thanks,

Davide

The JJ is a 300B with 2.5V filament supply.
Also the Sovetk, EH and GD premium with that single plate don't measure exactly like a 2A3.

I would go for the normal Golden Dragon (double plate) that is a true and very good 2A3. It has also got a gold grid. You just need a good selection for mutual conductance because it can vary quite a bit, from approx. 4.2 to 5.2 mA/V typically. Actually this was and is true also for NOS tubes....
As vintage option there is the Russian 6C4C. This is very good as well but requires a DC filament supply. It is an improved copy of the RCA design, IMHO. This has the advantage of higher maximum rating for plate voltage (360V instead of 300V).

45

[45]

Originally Posted by levelfive

My five cents:

2A3C Mono Plate Shuguang $108
Sophia 2A3 Mesh Plate $195

Regards, Konstantin

In my experience mesh tubes work badly when driven into positive grid as in the Tubelab amp. As soon as you drive the grid positive you get a really hard clipping....

45

[Evenharmonics]

Originally Posted by Nikon1975

2) Sovtek $75

I wouldn't recommend Sovtek 2A3 based on what happened to my Tubelab SE here. Its current draw is higher than other 2A3 thus it exceeds the current handling limit of the regulator on the board causing it to drop out of regulation and pass hum through to the output tubes.

[azazello]

I advice You only RCA - 160 $ pair....
Tube List range 2O1CA - 2Z2

[Ang]

A fan of the jj 2a3's - using them vs eh2a3 was quite significant (in a couple of amps). Less glare in the treble and better bass with the jj's.

[costis_n]

NOS JJ ??? Since when? JJ has been around for how long (as a label, I know it was Tesla before)? 8 years? New Old Stock is a ridiculous buzzword. I guess "Sitting on the shelf for 5 years" doesn't sound nearly as cool....

On the other hand, I have recently stumbled upon an electronic parts shop that has loads of Mullard "mustard" caps. Anybody interested?