Review on Riverstone Audio Matched Fully Tested Platinum by Amy Mears

Like most people I've read online, tubes add a warm tone to music. My first experience with lamps was with an AM/FM radio that I had converted. I love the sound of this restored radio. I got this amp for Christmas. I was a little disappointed. There was a constant buzzing or buzzing. I found it odd that my 1950's radio sounded better than a brand new amp. So I decided to get a "new" set of lightbulbs as that's the easiest thing I can replace. My amp came with a set of Chinese lamps with a star printed on them. So after some research I ordered it. At first I had concerns about compatibility. These tubes are much shorter. I just plugged them in and turned on the amp. The hum and hiss disappeared immediately. The sound quality has improved significantly. I will not go back to Chinese lamps. I also bought some surplus Saliviana 5654w military tubes. Cost wise I was able to get 10 5654w bulbs for the price of 3 pairs. I don't notice any difference between the nos tubes and these matched pairs. Whatever the difference in sound, I can't pick up any sound through my headphones with my mild hearing loss. As a combat veteran, I also have tinnitus. Even the wife doesn't notice the difference. I believe that at that time in lamp manufacture (1960's) manufacturers were able to produce lamps with very little inter-lamp variation. Remember that by this stage the lamps should be equipped with transistors. Also, the military had standards that my whistles had to meet. I would advise everyone to have a pair of these to compare how good tubes sound. The sound quality is excellent. But I don't use these tubes regularly. I keep them in a box and take them out when I want to impress guests. I usually only use my Nos 5654w for everyday use. As for the original Chinese whistles? They lie in the trash can next to used and broken electronic parts.