Recommended Tubes

We often get asked for recommendations for quality tubes to be used throughout the Jolida Reference and Signature amplifiers as well as the many other products found throughout this website. We are not interested in stocking several different makes of tubes but we do listen to our customers. The tubes mentioned below have been mentioned several times to me by customers of our Signature and Reference Series products as well as owners of the many of the tube products currently on the market. Our personal experience with Thetubestore has led us to the point of being able to highly recommend their products and services. You may choose from any number of their available tube manufacturers if you have a preference.

Thetubestore, has no problem drop-shipping these tubes directly to us, Response Audio NY, at no additional cost for installation into your new product. Just use our address for the shipping address when ordering online from their site. We make nothing on the sale of tubes from thetubestore but rather offer this as a convenient service.

If we are custom modifying or building your amplifier, we will bias and test the unit with your new tubes installed.
   

Please follow this link to purchase tubes from Thetubestore.

If you are interested in ordering Tubes  from The tube store, it would be greatly appreciated if you could do so by clicking on this TUBESTORE logo above to place your order online.

Here is a list of some of the tubes our customers have commented on being their favorites in various products. You may also contact us for recommendations based on your personal listening habits and preferences. Please note that the order in which most of these tubes are listed is based primarily on customer favorites and do not reflect any influence from myself unless otherwise noted.

For a more tube like presentation, the Shuguang KT88-98 is the #1 choice providing exceptional detail and transparency while maintaining that seductive tube sound.

Jolida Stock, Signature and Reference 302/502, 3205:
 1) Svetlana EL34
 2) SED EL34
 3) Electro Harmonix EL34

 1) Shuguang KT88
 2) SED KT88
 3) EH6550 / KT88

Jolida Stock, Signature and Reference JD502 and JD801
 1) Shuguang KT88 (my personal favorite)
 2) Electro Harmonix KT88 (most others personal favorite)
 3) SED 6550

ASL EXtreme Hurricane and Monsoon mono blocs
 1) EH KT88
 2) Shuguang KT88-98
 3) EH 6550 
 4) SED 6550
 5) Sovtek 6550

ASL AQ 1003 DT
 1) SED EL34 (my personal favorite)
 2) EH EL34 (cleaner, more analytical presentation)
 3) NOS Tungsram ECC82/12AU7

ASL AQ 1001 DT
 1) SED KT88
 2) Shuguang KT88
 2) SED 6550

Thetubestore also has some excellent selections for signal tubes used in the Ming-Da preamps such as those by Electro Harmonix, Tesla, Ei and even some NOS treasures by Tungsram, Mullard and many more.

                           
    Shuguang KT88      EH KT88             SED KT88           EH6550        SED EL34       EH EL34       

 

Shuguang 805 triode. In my opinion, this tube is second only to the costly NOS versions. Okay, you got me..... there really are only two options with this tube. China or NOS. Still a good tube.	Chinese 300B. Many would use nothing other than the Chinese variation aside from the high dollar Western Electric. I prefer the Electro Harmonix Gold Grid as a first pick with the Chinese being in the top 5.	The Shuguang KT88-98....... a very good tube for those who want to sit back and become one with the music. Lots of body and soul with this tube.

Personal findings:

Power tubes:
 In the past I have found many tubes have satisfied my personal taste with the SED being a long time favorite. Well, like everyone else my taste and preferences have changed a bit. For the emotional, seductive tube sound while maintaining detail, resolution and transparency, I have found the Shuguang KT88-98 to be among the best.

 If you are looking for a clean, dynamic presentation while sacrificing a bit of body and fullness, the Electro Harmonix tubes would be my first consideration. I have found the Sovtek 6550 to be the most reliable tube ever made.

 Obviously tube choices are very subjective with everyone having their favorites. I have personally become quite fond of some of the Chinese output tubes with preferences leaning towards the Shuguang and Valve Art pieces. Valve Art tubes are "top pick" Shuguang tubes. If you are a newbie to tubes, all I can do is recommend doing some reading on what others have found with various tubes and try to come to some kind of conclusion as to what would be best for you and your system. Every person is different as well as the components and systems these tubes will be incorporated into.

".........these premium Shuguang 6L6GC tubes are right at home in virtually any vintage amplifier calling for a 6L6 or KT66 output tube. Well suited for creating that wonderful breakup associated with early tube amps, this tube is best used in lower gain tube amps and tube high fidelity equipment. Quite rugged internally, these tubes sound best when biased a bit warm......"

".......The new Shuguang 300B-98C is a titanium mesh-plate version. This is the same tube relabeled by Valve Art. This tube is detailed, smooth, and musical......."

 Signal tube types:

 In this area, I personally do not find the Chinese variations to me liking. Below are a few quotes about their characteristics...... you be the judge. I do like many of the NOS (new old stock) pieces but do not like recommending these due to their high price tags. Not that they are not worth the investment but I would not like recommending these high dollar pieces only to find out that the consumer does not like my recommendation. I stick with current production units and leave the NOS experimentation up to the consumer.

 

".......Chinese manufactured Shuguang preamp tubes, specified by some of the top boutique amplifier designers. Highly regarded for their bright sound, high gain and very ample output......."

".........The Chinese 12AX7 is popular with Marshall owners for it's gain and bite. It is currently re-branded by both Ruby Tubes and Groove Tubes......"

".........This Chinese-made 6SN7 is used as original equipment in several amplifiers.
There are two versions available: one with a metal base and another with a brown base......."
 The 6SN7 is one Chinese input tube I do like and can live with in many applications.