A beautiful pair of RCA 2A3's hailing from the very late 1940s/early 50s era. At this point of, the 2A3 was still built to the standards of RCA's beautiful and patient prewar quality. They are very much like the last made Cunningham models, with brilliant side lower flashing, dual bottom D getter(s), and tall, dark, chalky black plates (Not much changed during the 1940s till end of war.). These are the early versions of the ST shape glass. They were refined, and structurally much stronger and rugged internally (see exhibit G). Early balloon types were more prone to grid shorts, dead filaments and lost vacuum. The 1940's and early 1950s are a terrific era of the 2A3; by then a mature, refined power tube -- designers work out so many of the kinks and bugs that plagued the earliest models.
RCA by the late 1930s/early 40s had completely refined this excellent sounding triode, enveloped in the ST shape. These are the ones to buy if you want the best sound, and amazing reliability.
They are in brilliant condition, and are a nice match -- see photos for tests and evaluation. Unit #1 & #2 feature 2x lower D getters, (these are quite close production tubes from around 1950 -- not easy to find) they're well matched both in sound to ear and under test (please refer to exhibit B and reports). Both ST bottles feature etched 2A3 letters (see exhibit D) ... and the very early style of RCA print, in silver ink. The beautiful black oxide plates are 35mm tall, both tubes have gorgeous tight bases. The plates are matched, and mutual conductance is very close. For easy reference see Photo Exhibits for full test reports with a Dan Nelson calibrated Tv7 and a FULL LOAD EMISSIONS test on a Jackson 648 -- they each read about 100% (see exhibit B & C) (minimum = 70).
An ideal set if you need spares, or to use as "daily drivers" to upgrade your SE triode amp. You can't do better than original US built tubes from this era.
The original boxes are a bit dusty and worn at edges. To be expected of the old boxes, they are close to 70 years in age.
Tested in multiple lab calibrated tube checkers...
You'll love these tubes, they are very low hours. Guaranteed safe arrival and NO DOA.
If you love the beautiful tone and midrange detail 2A3's can give you -- it's worth seeking out these very old RCA versions...they bring a magical focus and sweetness -- not unlike some of the best large triodes in the world can do ... like the RE604, (earlier 45, 47, and 50) types and various versions of the 300B. The difference is nice 2A3's like these -- while getting hard to find, cost less -- and there are many factory and handbuilt amps all over the world that bekon to run these.
No shorts, perfect, NO DOA guaranteed. They are beautiful construction, with dual lower D getters, heavy gloss painted yellow letters (perfect) and thick, shinny chrome flashing.
This beautiful matched PAIR set will sell very quickly. It's the nicest set you'll see anywhere.
See our 100% feedback, to be assured SAFE PACKING & DELIVERY. These are likely the best RCA 2A3's in boxes .. and most throughly tested you'll see anywhere. -- They will be TRIPLE BOXED for SAFE OVERSEAS shipment in strong 275lb triwall cartons. Please read our 100%, 5 star feedback. All happy customers.
Please study photos below. SAFE PURCHASE, 100% - *** Domestic or OVERSEAS OK. FAST SHIPPING, WILL DISPATCH IMMEDIATELY after PAYMENT -- OVERSEAS OK, FULL TRACKING number via email after shipment.
