211 valves: please share your experiences

[spiritofmusic]

Bob, there's nothing quite like buying big tubes. The anticipation, the possible flight/fright response, the frisson on firing them up. Oh yes, and then the sound, lol.
Good luck to you negotiating those emotions.

I've on my second quad of GE 211s, on balance got lucky.

 

[Rhapsody]

If anyone comes across one each strong Amperex 211 please pm me. I was able to get five each of the Amperex. Four for the Kagura and then one extra as a spare or if I can find another one I will stick them in the Ongaku.

 

[Audiocrack]

I finally found four Amperex 211s closely matched/tested. They will be arriving this week. I will be running the Amperex in my Kagura mono amps. Also have two RCAs on the way for the Ongaku. I've been running GE's in both the Ongaku and the Kaguras. Looking forward to the RCAs and Amperex.

I also just set up the TW/Red Sparrow on my VYGER Atlantis and it has rejuvenated me

Both Kondo amps are going too sound clearly better than with the GE’s. Undoubtedly you are going to be very impressed!

 

[Rhapsody]

I enjoyed the JOLT when I put the TW/RS on the VYGER that I thought what else would give such an uplift....Amperex 211's seemed to fit the thought.

 

[adamaley]

So, I have gleaned from the internet that the RCA 211 is the warmest high performing 211 tube out there. Where will the 211 aficionados place the Amperex 211 on that scale of tonal warmth?

 

[Rhapsody]

So, I have gleaned from the internet that the RCA 211 is the warmest high performing 211 tube out there. Where will the 211 aficionados place the Amperex 211 on that scale of tonal warmth?

In my experience, Amperex are two steps up sonically from RCA’s. I would not call the AMPEREX warm. I feel like they’re pretty neutral just in another league sonically from GE or RCA in all aspects especially dynamics and resolution.

The only issue is finding the Amperex and then having them shipped to you safely. I think I bought nine.Amperex to get four good ones for my Kaguras and one spare.

 

[Rotatoubib]

I just got 2 pairs of 211 RCA made in 1940 for my Phasemation MA-5000, and I can tell that there is a great improvement compared to my previous GE; I would not say that its "warm", but medium ( voices, piano) is really fantastic

 

[spiritofmusic]

Where are you guys getting quads, let alone pairs, of balanced RCAs?
Or is this a secret because of increasing unobtanium status of such tubes?
I've seen a vendor in Vietnam selling Telefunken RS-237 tubes who won't cover refunds on shipping damage.
Otoh, I can drive to the AN factory in Southern England and pick up pristine 211s (242s actually).

 

[mtemur]

Actually, the United Electronics 211 is the warmest, most exotic, and most extraordinary-sounding 211 tube—certainly not the RCA. Amperex isn’t a regular 211 tube, and as far as I know, Kondo does not recommend using it in the Ongaku or Kagura, just like the GZ37 is not recommended as a substitute for the GZ34.

I compared UE directly against RCA and GE. The RCA isn’t even close to the UE, and I’ve heard multiple pairs of both. Exotic and warm isn’t my preferred sound, but if that’s what you’re after, the UE is the ultimate 211 tube. You’re lucky if you can find a pair.

Recently, the local Kondo dealer sold three or four pairs to a customer—pairs that came directly from the Kondo factory long time ago and tested at 125% emission. I know because I tested them myself on the Amplitrex.

 

[Rotatoubib]

Actually, the United Electronics 211 is the warmest, most exotic, and most extraordinary-sounding 211 tube—certainly not the RCA. Amperex isn’t a regular 211 tube, and as far as I know, Kondo does not recommend using it in the Ongaku or Kagura, just like the GZ37 is not recommended as a substitute for the GZ34.

I compared UE directly against RCA and GE. The RCA isn’t even close to the UE, and I’ve heard multiple pairs of both. Exotic and warm isn’t my preferred sound, but if that’s what you’re after, the UE is the ultimate 211 tube. You’re lucky if you can find a pair.

Recently, the local Kondo dealer sold three or four pairs to a customer—pairs that came directly from the Kondo factory long time ago and tested at 125% emission. I know because I tested them myself on the Amplitrex.

Maybe someone may have a different opinion? If possible?

 

[adamaley]

Actually, the United Electronics 211 is the warmest, most exotic, and most extraordinary-sounding 211 tube—certainly not the RCA. Amperex isn’t a regular 211 tube, and as far as I know, Kondo does not recommend using it in the Ongaku or Kagura, just like the GZ37 is not recommended as a substitute for the GZ34.

I compared UE directly against RCA and GE. The RCA isn’t even close to the UE, and I’ve heard multiple pairs of both. Exotic and warm isn’t my preferred sound, but if that’s what you’re after, the UE is the ultimate 211 tube. You’re lucky if you can find a pair.

Recently, the local Kondo dealer sold three or four pairs to a customer—pairs that came directly from the Kondo factory long time ago and tested at 125% emission. I know because I tested them myself on the Amplitrex.

I'm in search of a single tube. I'm not using them in an amplifier but rather in a rectifier replacement device so I get to mix and match. I'm looking to pair it with a recently acquired Telefunken RS237

 

[adamaley]

Where are you guys getting quads, let alone pairs, of balanced RCAs?
Or is this a secret because of increasing unobtanium status of such tubes?
I've seen a vendor in Vietnam selling Telefunken RS-237 tubes who won't cover refunds on shipping damage.
Otoh, I can drive to the AN factory in Southern England and pick up pristine 211s (242s actually).

The eBay crapshoot gamble, I suspect

 

[spiritofmusic]

Actually, the United Electronics 211 is the warmest, most exotic, and most extraordinary-sounding 211 tube—certainly not the RCA. Amperex isn’t a regular 211 tube, and as far as I know, Kondo does not recommend using it in the Ongaku or Kagura, just like the GZ37 is not recommended as a substitute for the GZ34.

I compared UE directly against RCA and GE. The RCA isn’t even close to the UE, and I’ve heard multiple pairs of both. Exotic and warm isn’t my preferred sound, but if that’s what you’re after, the UE is the ultimate 211 tube. You’re lucky if you can find a pair.

Recently, the local Kondo dealer sold three or four pairs to a customer—pairs that came directly from the Kondo factory long time ago and tested at 125% emission. I know because I tested them myself on the Amplitrex.

Fascinating that Kondo directly advise against the Amperex. From everything I can glean, Dejan the Nat designer voiced the SE2SE monos that I use around the GE 211, my dealer as close to directly saying he advised against swapping out GEs for any other tubes.
Yet I believe Audiocrack here uses Amperex on his Kondos and reports zero issues.
So, what's the truth?

 

[gian60]

I have Ongaku and tube i have GE and RCA

Not founded UE and Amperex

I like GE because is neutral and sound is good
Rca has magic mid and very natural but find too warm and little fuller mid bass

 

[spiritofmusic]

I have Ongaku and tube i have GE and RCA

Not founded UE and Amperex

I like GE because is neutral and sound is good
Rca has magic mid and very natural but find too warm and little fuller mid bass

Thank you, someone finally comes out to bat for the "lowly" GE 211.

 

[gian60]

I founded in Italy 211 Haltron England green logo made in england by licence from GE

NOS at 1250 euro

Could be no bad also this

 

[bonzo75]

Actually, the United Electronics 211 is the warmest, most exotic, and most extraordinary-sounding 211 tube—certainly not the RCA. Amperex isn’t a regular 211 tube, and as far as I know, Kondo does not recommend using it in the Ongaku or Kagura, just like the GZ37 is not recommended as a substitute for the GZ34.

I compared UE directly against RCA and GE. The RCA isn’t even close to the UE, and I’ve heard multiple pairs of both. Exotic and warm isn’t my preferred sound, but if that’s what you’re after, the UE is the ultimate 211 tube. You’re lucky if you can find a pair.

Recently, the local Kondo dealer sold three or four pairs to a customer—pairs that came directly from the Kondo factory long time ago and tested at 125% emission. I know because I tested them myself on the Amplitrex.

My friend with the Euronor used all United & Amperex 211 and WE 242c with the Kagura, they all sounded great

 

[bonzo75]

Maybe someone may have a different opinion? If possible?

No the United, Amperex WE 242c just are leagues better than GE or RCA, which are better than KR, which is better than Psvane. There is another guy who reported on Elrog 242c saying they were quite good, haven’t heard. I know at least 4 people apart from mtemur and myself who have done those compares and agree, across systems. Rhapsody will have done some compares too.

 

[adamaley]

This renewed conversation is not over which is best, but rather which of the upper echelon 211s is the warmest - hopefully folks can provide some input. Currently it is down to Amperex 211 vs UE 211.

 

[spiritofmusic]

So, sorry if this is naive, but is it essential to get balanced duos or quads, especially in Amperex, RCA, Telefunken RS237, which are very or extremely hard to find, and afford, singly, let alone 2 or 4 at a time?.