Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2005 6:32 amI've used Svetlana and JJ EL34s in my ST70s, and Svetlana 6550Cs and Elektro-Harmonix KT88s in the Ikes. The EHs are premium grade "re-branded" Sovteks, and cost a little more. All sound excellent., I'd be hard pressed to quantify one brand as "sounding better"than any of the others.
There are "new manufacture" "Mullards" and "Tung-Sol" tubes being sold, note that these are not the original manufacturers, they are re-branded Sovteks, and other than the labelling and the looks, they aren't really any better, and should not be confused with the NOS tubes. These "aftermarket" ones are clearly marked "Made In Russia".
/ed
There are "new manufacture" "Mullards" and "Tung-Sol" tubes being sold, note that these are not the original manufacturers, they are re-branded Sovteks, and other than the labelling and the looks, they aren't really any better, and should not be confused with the NOS tubes. These "aftermarket" ones are clearly marked "Made In Russia".
/ed