Telefunken RS237

[TLi]

My Audio Note Kondo Kagura 2i uses 211 output tubes. The two monoblocks need 4 tubes which can be quite difficult to get matched pairs with vintage rare tubes.

Recently I am lucky to get four NOS nicely matched Telefunken RS237. Although it has been mentioned in this forum that RS237 is a direct replacement of 211 but there is no report online about its usage that I can found. There is also no mention about the sonic characteristic of RS237.

To my surprise, Telefunken RS237 not only works perfectly well in my Kondo Kagura, it sounds really well. I have many sets of 211 tube to roll in my amp, every brand and make has its own character but I have to say, RS237 is the best, beating RCA 211 or Elrog ER242 by some margin. RCA and Elrog have the best sound in my collection before. RS237 has all the features people expect from old Telefunken tubes. It is very high in resolution without sounding harsh. Dynamic can beat the best modern tube like Elrog. Although RS237 was made 90 years ago, it sounds as modern as no others. Yes, RCA 211 is more mellow but the resolution and dynamic are no match to that of Telefunken. Elrog ER242 is a good all-rounded performer but not to the level achieved by RS237.

Telefunken RS237 is truly something special.

 

[spiritofmusic]

Just looked at prices for these Teles, averaging £7k+ for a quad. And very few available generally.

 

[TLi]

I got it in the Munich HiFi show last May. For the first time, there is some nice old tubes on sale.

 

[spiritofmusic]

I'm looking at another quad of 211s or maybe 4242 Molys, if my current GEs can last another 3-4 years.
GEs still in reasonable supply, I think prices may have fallen (I've now paid £2k twice for two balanced quads).
Amperex really are as rare as hens' teeth, and as pricy as if those teeth were gold plated.
Have been warned off RCAs.
STC 4242 are my other recommendation, not far of Telefunkens pricing.
Leaving AN 4242 and Mayer Elrog Molys as new build alternatives.
--
My issue buying such fragile beauties from half way around the world is both trusting a vendor to provide genuine matched pairs or quads, and the fragility in transport.
Have had to get replacements for GEs that didn't survive being thrown around by customs agents.

 

[spiritofmusic]

I got it in the Munich HiFi show last MayView attachment 153059. For the first time, there is some nice old tubes on sale.

They sure are purdee.

 

[adamaley]

My Audio Note Kondo Kagura 2i uses 211 output tubes. The two monoblocks need 4 tubes which can be quite difficult to get matched pairs with vintage rare tubes.

Recently I am lucky to get four NOS nicely matched Telefunken RS237. Although it has been mentioned in this forum that RS237 is a direct replacement of 211 but there is no report online about its usage that I can found. There is also no mention about the sonic characteristic of RS237.

To my surprise, Telefunken RS237 not only works perfectly well in my Kondo Kagura, it sounds really well. I have many sets of 211 tube to roll in my amp, every brand and make has its own character but I have to say, RS237 is the best, beating RCA 211 or Elrog ER242 by some margin. RCA and Elrog have the best sound in my collection before. RS237 has all the features people expect from old Telefunken tubes. It is very high in resolution without sounding harsh. Dynamic can beat the best modern tube like Elrog. Although RS237 was made 90 years ago, it sounds as modern as no others. Yes, RCA 211 is more mellow but the resolution and dynamic are no match to that of Telefunken. Elrog ER242 is a good all-rounded performer but not to the level achieved by RS237.

Telefunken RS237 is truly something special.

View attachment 153051View attachment 153052View attachment 153053View attachment 153054

I just ordered a single Telefunken RS237. What tipped me off the fence to swing for it, besides your description of its sound, was this page here:

211 tubes rolling

Today I finished listening to various 211 tubes. It was such a pleasure to play with vintage 211 tubes that have now become quite rare to find in New condition. Fortunately, all these pieces were new and all measure around the same transconductance. The 211 tubes were the following: Western...

www.diyaudio.com

Hope you're still enjoying your set in your wonderful amps.

 

[Glide3]

Custom 211/211 amps (SET where 211 is Driving 211)
Elrog 242 driving Telefunken RS237

 

[Ron Resnick]

How do they sound, Kurt?

 

[rpk]

My Audio Note Kondo Kagura 2i uses 211 output tubes. The two monoblocks need 4 tubes which can be quite difficult to get matched pairs with vintage rare tubes.

Recently I am lucky to get four NOS nicely matched Telefunken RS237. Although it has been mentioned in this forum that RS237 is a direct replacement of 211 but there is no report online about its usage that I can found. There is also no mention about the sonic characteristic of RS237.

To my surprise, Telefunken RS237 not only works perfectly well in my Kondo Kagura, it sounds really well. I have many sets of 211 tube to roll in my amp, every brand and make has its own character but I have to say, RS237 is the best, beating RCA 211 or Elrog ER242 by some margin. RCA and Elrog have the best sound in my collection before. RS237 has all the features people expect from old Telefunken tubes. It is very high in resolution without sounding harsh. Dynamic can beat the best modern tube like Elrog. Although RS237 was made 90 years ago, it sounds as modern as no others. Yes, RCA 211 is more mellow but the resolution and dynamic are no match to that of Telefunken. Elrog ER242 is a good all-rounded performer but not to the level achieved by RS237.

Telefunken RS237 is truly something special.

View attachment 153051View attachment 153052View attachment 153053View attachment 153054

RS 237, Tube RS237; Röhre RS 237 ID17288, Transmitting Triod | Radiomuseum.org

Tube RS 237 or Röhre RS237 ID17288, Transmitting Triode, air cooled, SPECIAL TUBEBASE in general and shown. Radio tubes are valves.

www.radiomuseum.org

Vs

211, Tube 211; Röhre 211 ID6828, Transmitting Triode, air co | Radiomuseum.org

Tube 211 or Röhre 211 ID6828, Transmitting Triode, air cooled, Jumbo 4-pin bayonet (1918) and Power/Output shown. Radio tubes are valves.

www.radiomuseum.org

 

[Glide3]

How do they sound, Kurt?

Hi Ron
They sound great…best I have heard in my system.
I am behind in organizing a gathering so we can compare the TB3-1000, DET25 and these amps.
They all sound very good but the 211 are the most balanced and seem to be the sweet spot for my taste and the rest of the system. I will be very interested in getting your impressions at some point.
See you soon

 

[spiritofmusic]

There is no getter in the RS237, is that an issue re practicality or reliability?

 

[adamaley]

Custom 211/211 amps (SET where 211 is Driving 211)
Elrog 242 driving Telefunken RS237

Can you speak about what you're hearing from the Tfkn RS237 vs other 211s you've tried?

 

[Glide3]

Can you speak about what you're hearing from the Tfkn RS237 vs other 211s you've tried?

My experience agrees with the OP. The RS237 is the most complete and balanced tube I have used. The others are Amperex, Elrog 242, STC4242, GE (my preference is in that order) The Tele has excellent dynamics, tonality and resolution. I am also a big fan of the Amperex, Elrog ER242 and STC tubes but each are a step behind the Telefunkens.
The GE tubes are a very good value but don’t reach the heights of the above IME

 

[spiritofmusic]

There is no getter in the RS237, is that an issue re practicality or reliability?

No-one wants to chip in on this?

 

[adamaley]

Practically - not sure anything changes regarding how you handle or use them. With regards to reliability, I haven't heard any reports of issues there.

I should receive one next week courtesy of the crapshoot of eBay

 

[DasguteOhr]

RS 237, Tube RS237; Röhre RS 237 ID17288, Transmitting Triod | Radiomuseum.org

Tube RS 237 or Röhre RS237 ID17288, Transmitting Triode, air cooled, SPECIAL TUBEBASE in general and shown. Radio tubes are valves.

www.radiomuseum.org

Vs

211, Tube 211; Röhre 211 ID6828, Transmitting Triode, air co | Radiomuseum.org

Tube 211 or Röhre 211 ID6828, Transmitting Triode, air cooled, Jumbo 4-pin bayonet (1918) and Power/Output shown. Radio tubes are valves.

www.radiomuseum.org

The RS 237 is diffrent league max 2500Volt she laughs about 950 volts from the kondo amps.

 

[spiritofmusic]

I think my Nats might be 990V, but I guess the same sentiment applies, lol.
My issue is shelling out £9k for a quad, paying the additional £2.5k on vat and customs charges, and finding out one of more tubes are broken, eBay sellers refuse any refunds for shipping damage.

 

[DasguteOhr]

I think my Nats might be 990V, but I guess the same sentiment applies, lol.
My issue is shelling out £9k for a quad, paying the additional £2.5k on vat and customs charges, and finding out one of more tubes are broken, eBay sellers refuse any refunds for shipping damage.

Watch the seller on eBay who often sells unused tubes

2 neue Röhren Triode Telefunken Lorenz RS237 matched pair VT4C gesockelt | eBay.de

Absolute Rarität und in dieser Ausführung und Qualität noch nie gesehen.

www.ebay.de

 

[adamaley]

The RS 237 is diffrent league max 2500Volt she laughs about 950 volts from the kondo amps.

Tele RS237 is singing with a brass base Amperex 211 (eBay seller local to me), combined with two RCA 845s. The balance is perfect.

 

[spiritofmusic]

Watch the seller on eBay who often sells unused tubes

2 neue Röhren Triode Telefunken Lorenz RS237 matched pair VT4C gesockelt | eBay.de

Absolute Rarität und in dieser Ausführung und Qualität noch nie gesehen.

www.ebay.de

I'll bear him in mind.
Is it really necessary to have a matched quad? I'd say that's practically impossible with the likes of these Telefunkens and Amperex etc, unless you died and went to heaven.
Are matched pairs "good enough"?
And are these Telefunkens good for any 211 amps out there? Mechanically and electrically consistent for all amps using 211 tubes?