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Do You Know Which Is The Best 845 Tube? [message #10923]

Sat, 25 December 2004 13:01

thetubeguy1954
Messages: 29
Registered: May 2009

Chancellor

My amp which uses 4 Billington Gold 845 tubes, is in need of a tube replacement. As much as I would love to buy 4 KR Audio or Cetron 845's I cannot afford the $400 per tube asking price. Also the thought of spending $1600 every 2-3 years is't too appealing either. Of course if someone can direct me to a place where I can buy these tubes at reasonable prices, I'd love to hear from you as well. My only other option is to use the new 845B or 845M being made in China.

I'd like to know if anyone here has used either the 845B or 845M. Better yet has anyone here used both? What I'd like is a brief description of either the 845B or 845M from someone who has or is still using them. What are the pluses and minuses of these tubes? And if there's someone who tried both, which one do you prefer and why?

Thanks, thetubeguy1954 (Tom Scata)
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Re: Do You Know Which Is The Best 845 Tube? [message #10926 is a reply to message #10923]

Mon, 27 December 2004 15:34

Wayne Parham
Messages: 18676
Registered: January 2001

Illuminati (33rd Degree)

I noticed there is a $40.00 845 tube made by Sino. Prolly ain't a GE or RCA, but then again, you aren't going to get hurt trying them.

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Re: Do You Know Which Is The Best 845 Tube? [message #10927 is a reply to message #10926]

Tue, 28 December 2004 06:57

thetubeguy1954
Messages: 29
Registered: May 2009

Chancellor

Thanks Wayne. That tube is most likely what Valve Art sells @ $39.95. I'm presently using Billington Gold, which I've been told are the same tubes only hand-selected for better quality. I know Cetrons are $400~$500ea. Good NOS RCA's are typically over $300 and you can get a pair of KR Audio's for $550. I'm most likely going to try the new 845B made in China. It's supposedly modeled after the old Amperex 845 and quite a bit better sounding that the typical 845 being made today. But a pair costs $150. I was hoping that someone would have responded about the new 845M (M=Metal Plate) that's supposed to be coming out of the same factory that makes the 845B. I cannot find any info and really want to know if the 845B or 845M sounds best!

Thanks, thetubeguy1954 (Tom Scata)

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Re: Do You Know Which Is The Best 845 Tube? [message #10928 is a reply to message #10923]

Thu, 20 January 2005 03:42

francis
Messages: 1
Registered: May 2009

Esquire

Hi,

Schuguang makes the very best 845 (IMHO), named 845-B, copy of the original Amperex 1930. Copper base, double getter, no top mica spacer for less microphonics. I have used the Tienjin 845 for 6 years, and the new 845-B is a great improvment. Cetron 845-B is not so good, and KR is of different design, with a different heater.

A good review from Ed Sawyer (TNT audio) is on jacmusic.com

Schuguang will soon make a metal plate 845, called 845-M. I haven't tried it...