When vintage medical electronics meet high-end audio mastering.
There are moments in audio where a simple modification completely transforms a piece of equipment. This was exactly the case with our recent tube upgrade inside the WesAudio ngTubeEQ at Moderne Mastering.
What started as a curiosity quickly became one of the most impressive sonic upgrades we have ever experienced.
From modern production tubes to legendary vintage tubes
The original ngTubeEQ ships with modern JJ tubes, which already sound very good for a production unit. However, after extensive listening tests and research into vintage vacuum tubes, we decided to push the unit much further.
The stock tubes were replaced with two of the most respected vintage tube families ever produced:
- Mullard 10M vintage tubes
- Philips SQ tubes
These tubes are considered by many engineers and collectors to be among the absolute best ever manufactured for audio applications.
A unique story behind these tubes
One of the most fascinating parts of this upgrade is the history behind the tubes themselves.
My good friend Benoit, who supplied these incredible vintage tubes, recovered them from old medical electronics equipment:
- a Vintage S88 Dual Output Square Stimulator
- a medical polygraph preamp
Back in the day, medical equipment manufacturers often used ultra high-grade tubes because reliability, low noise, and precision were absolutely critical.
Ironically, decades later, many of these forgotten medical devices are now treasure chests for world-class audio components.
The sonic difference
The transformation was immediate. The upgraded ngTubeEQ now delivers:
- a deeper and more three-dimensional soundstage
- smoother top-end frequencies
- richer harmonic content
- tighter low-end response
- a more natural transient response
- incredible depth and musicality
The unit now feels more alive, more organic, and more emotional.
The Mullard 10M tubes bring a beautiful warmth and density, while the Philips SQ tubes add precision, clarity, and an incredibly refined texture. The combination creates a sound that is both vintage and modern at the same time.
Why vintage tubes still matter
In a world dominated by digital processing and modern manufacturing, there is still something magical about properly selected vintage tubes.
Many legendary tubes from the golden age of electronics were manufactured with standards that are almost impossible to reproduce today. The metallurgy, internal construction, vacuum quality, and long-term reliability of these tubes continue to make them highly desirable for mastering engineers, audiophiles, and recording studios around the world.
When paired with a high-end modern analog processor like the WesAudio ngTubeEQ, the result becomes truly special.
A perfect match for mastering
At Moderne Mastering, every detail matters. Mastering is often about extremely subtle decisions. Small improvements in depth, harmonic richness, stereo imaging, and smoothness can dramatically change the emotional impact of a song.
This tube upgrade pushed the ngTubeEQ into another category entirely. The sound is unique. The tone is addictive. And the musicality is simply incredible.
Moderne Mastering
Where vintage soul meets modern precision.