Vacuum Tubes

[Raccoon]

Hi everyone ,
I have an old Heathkit HW-101 that I've been gradually bringing back to life . It's about to get an electrolytic capacitor update (from Hayseed) , and I've replaced all the tubes with (NOS) tubes that have all tested good on my tube tester . I've only got 1 tube left to replace , and that's the OA2 . But I've been getting mixed signals on this last tube . There are so many companies to choose from , and I'd like to know what everyone's thoughts are on who makes the better OA2 vacuum tube ... or at least which one would work the best in an old Heathkit HW-101 .

Thanks

 

[nomadradio]

This tube is the equivalent of a 150-Volt zener diode. All it does is hold its DC voltage fairly steady. As such, it was made by numerous vendors, and sold under every name brand, pretty much. Just consider that the brand name on a carton tells you who packaged the tube for retail, not who made the tube.

Differences between one maker and the next should be zero, more or less, so long as you have a good one.

73

 

[Raccoon]

Thanks nomadradio ... I did , I bought an RCA that is coming from a reputable dealer , and it tested at 100% on a Hickok tube tester .

 

[nomadradio]

Good deal. I know the guitar players will attach a near-mystical connection between a particular brand of audio tube and the "sound" they wish to achieve.

IMHO, most of that is more mystical and less practical.

73