Spare Valves (Where, what etc??)

[phlip]

since I now have a Valve amp at home, something I haven't had for years, I guess I should purchase a couple of spares, just in case (especially since DHL had the amp for a couple of days)
who are good online suppliers of Valves (Watford?)

It's got an Electro Harmonix 12AX7 Pre-amp, Electro Harmonix EL84 Power Amp and a JJ GZ-34 Rectifier Valve.
Is it worth buying the exact same makes or should I buy different makes to experiment as well as safeguard?
I'm more of a crunch/gain type of chap, so any recommendations for uber clean is probably nee use  :D

[Twinfan]

If you want the best bang for your buck, I would suggest:

* JJ Gold Pin ECC83s for your preamp slot
* JJ EL84 for your power amp slot

If you order from HotRox, my preferred supplier, you can also get one of these as a spare for your GZ34:

Solid State Rectifier

I would fit the two new valves now, and keep the old ones and the solid state rectifier as emergency spares. That way you've got a spare for everything if they go, and you can use them while you wait for your order of new JJs  ;)

[hamfist]

If you want the best bang for your buck, I would suggest:

* JJ Gold Pin ECC83s for your preamp slot
* JJ EL84 for your power amp slot

If you order from HotRox, my preferred supplier, you can also get one of these as a spare for your GZ34:

Solid State Rectifier

I would fit the two new valves now, and keep the old ones and the solid state rectifier as emergency spares. That way you've got a spare for everything if they go, and you can use them while you wait for your order of new JJs  ;)

I generally use Hotrox for current production valves too, and JJ's are generally as good as any other of the new production 12AX's, EL84's and GZ34's out there.

My only other comment is that it was my understanding that you shouldn't use a SS rectifier with an amp that does not have a standby switch. The valve rectifier automatically slows the introduction of plate voltage to the power tubes as the rectifier tube itself heats up.  This allows the other valves a chance to heat up before they get full plate voltage.  However a standard Solid State rectifier will allow full plate voltage through to the valves the moment the amp is switched on (which is bad),  UNLESS you have a standby switch, which gives you the chance to heat up the valves before you give full plate voltage to the valves by switching the standby to "ON".

[phlip]

Cheers, the Amp mods have given a Standby switch and the Rectifier is switchable between valve and SS, the Valve sounds better to me though, it subtle but different.  :)

[Twinfan]

Ah - so you've got a SS rectifier as a backup in the amp anyway?

In that case, just go for the two valves I mentioned  :)

[Mark66]

I use Hotrox, never had a problem with them.
Good idea to keep a spare of each, but if you look after your amp, you'll probably never need them.
I spoke to Denis Cornell about this shortly after buying my amp, & he reckons it's a bit of a myth about
valves blowing, and that modern valves should last years if looked after.
If you look on Watford Valves website they have tested & reviewed loads of valves, modern & nos.

[Twinfan]

They should last years, but I've had a couple of new ones die recently after a short while of using them.  Two completely different preamp valves, so probably just bad luck on my part.

But I always like to have spares of everything  ;)

[phlip]

Thanks for the tips guys.
I'll purchase a spare of each  :D