NOS (New Old Stock) and current production Vaccum Tube - Valve Seller Recommendations for SH Forums*

Discussion in 'Audio Hardware' started by Garthb, May 24, 2020.

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  1. Garthb

    Garthb Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    portland,oregon
    Looking for NOS tubes for my Mcintosh MC240, who do you recommend for buying authentic tubes?
     
    Garthb, May 24, 2020
    #1
    MGW likes this.
  2. Ontheone

    Ontheone Poorly Understood Member

    Location:
    Indianapolis
    Ontheone, May 24, 2020
    #2
    mds, Madlove, Doug_B and 5 others like this.
  3. Steve Hoffman

    Steve Hoffman Your host Your Host

    Location:
    Los Angeles
    I've asked the moderators to sticky this thread and change the thread title to include current production tubes.

    People, you are the experts. Tell us where to shop safely.

    I have a few trusted sellers but it has been a while since I've needed to shop for tubes (a long while, actually).

    So, help us out. Who is good in the USA? Who can be trusted? Who has the best stock? And so on.

    Realize that a trustworthy tube/valve seller is going to have higher prices than some dude on eBay.

    HELP US OUT, TUBE NUTS!!
     
    Steve Hoffman, May 24, 2020
    #3
    fortherecord, FashionBoy, RDriftwood and 1 other person like this.
  4. thomaskong

    thomaskong Forum Resident

    Location:
    Washington State
    I do shopping at Evay from dealers with positive rating and return offer.

    I paid 65$ for pair of Raytheon Vt231(6n7) tubes made in 1940''s.

    It was the best bargain with excellent sound.

    It could be hit or miss but it is fun.

    Another thing is that during dispute Ebay tend to be on buyer's side.
     
    thomaskong, May 24, 2020
    #4
  5. gellie

    gellie Forum Resident

    gellie, May 24, 2020
    #5
    Madlove, Jvalvano and apesfan like this.
  6. Garthb

    Garthb Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    portland,oregon
    thanks for translating and communicating much better than me!
     
    Garthb, May 24, 2020
    #6
    Three quid likes this.
  7. MGW

    MGW Less travelling, more listening

    Location:
    Scotland, UK
    And the rest of the world, please!
     
    MGW, May 24, 2020
    #7
    Garthb likes this.
  8. spartree

    spartree Forum Resident

    Location:
    Canada
    spartree, May 24, 2020
    #8
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  9. spartree

    spartree Forum Resident

    Location:
    Canada
    spartree, May 24, 2020
    #9
    fretter, RDriftwood and Garthb like this.
  10. AudioAddict

    AudioAddict Forum Resident

    Location:
    USA
    Just got another set of tubes for my monoblocks from Antique Electronics in Phoenix. They are pleasant to deal with, have modern and NOS stock, and are now back open. Their will call system leaves a lot to be desired; better to use mail.
    Antique Electronic Supply
     
    AudioAddict, May 24, 2020
    #10
    SteevG and GLYNSTYLER like this.
  11. Steve Hoffman

    Steve Hoffman Your host Your Host

    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Antique Electronic Supply. I thought they were in Tempe? In the 1990s we dropped $3,000 with them and got in return hundreds and hundreds of priceless NOS vacuum tube types. I'm surprised they have anything left..
     
    Steve Hoffman, May 24, 2020
    #11
    fortherecord likes this.
  12. Steve Hoffman

    Steve Hoffman Your host Your Host

    Location:
    Los Angeles
    I've bought some tubes on eBay recently, now that I think about it. My Philips rectifiers, some bunches of 6U8's, my Amperex "Bugle Boy" tubes (7119 and ECC82) for my Audio Note Jinro..)

    It's important to do your research when you buy tubes on eBay. Only certain sellers can be really trusted. Find out who those are, count positive feedbacks, read fine print, etc. Make sure the tubes are TESTED properly. You know, common sense..

    My Dutch Bugle Boy 7119 (Peter Q.'s favorite for the Jinro) cost me 24$ on eBay, NOS, tested. Still working fine. So eBay is not the devil, just do your homework..
     
    Steve Hoffman, May 24, 2020
    #12
    hi_watt, Lowrider75, BrentB and 1 other person like this.
  13. Steve Hoffman

    Steve Hoffman Your host Your Host

    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Does UPSCALE AUDIO still sell tubes? I would assume so. Kevin Deal can be trusted and he hears the tonal differences in tube brands the same as I do, almost exactly.

    TUBE DEPOT still around?
     
    Steve Hoffman, May 24, 2020
    #13
    mds, hi_watt, noladaoh and 4 others like this.
  14. 5-String

    5-String μηδὲν ἄγαν

    Location:
    Sunshine State
    5-String, May 24, 2020
    #14
  15. jonwoody

    jonwoody Tragically Unhip

    Location:
    Washington DC
    jonwoody, May 24, 2020
    #15
    hi_watt likes this.
  16. rebellovw

    rebellovw Forum Resident

    Location:
    hell
    Jim McShane all the way - never had any issues with his tubes.

    Jim McShane Home Page

    My first encounter with Jim - 6-8 years ago - I had a buzzing microphonic issue driving me nuts - I tracked it down to my EH driver tubes - Jim recommended some GE NOS that he personally tested - they solved the issue. I've been a loyal customer ever since.
     
    Last edited: May 24, 2020
    rebellovw, May 24, 2020
    #16
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  17. AudioAddict

    AudioAddict Forum Resident

    Location:
    USA
    Tempe is right next to Phoenix -- about 2 miles from my winter place. Have checked their prices and they seem very competitive. A set of matched 300Bs (Gold Lion) Mullard GZ34s and Tung-Sol 6sn7s was less than $400 shipped. They've got a 10% sale on right now.
    BUT THEN, they really don't seem to like local traffic. Went there the first two times to pick up orders and it was not so much frosty as downright bitter (LOL).
     
    AudioAddict, May 24, 2020
    #17
  18. Steve Hoffman

    Steve Hoffman Your host Your Host

    Location:
    Los Angeles
    I must have called there a hundred times. Poor guy in the back, we had him search for what we wanted, sometimes had him read off tube brands, look at dates, etc. Never complained. They didn't have much in the way of international tubes but man, they had every North American tube type going back to the 1930s. Still in original boxes, containers. We bought everything good, RCA 5U4's in original RCA shipping cartons, 12BH7's 12AU7's, 6922s, great stuff and I'm sure they still have some good stuff...
     
    Steve Hoffman, May 24, 2020
    #18
    fortherecord and ssmith3046 like this.
  19. AudioAddict

    AudioAddict Forum Resident

    Location:
    USA
    They just had a 25% off sale for NOS tubes so, maybe, they have a bunch lying around. Am new to the tube world and do not know a lot so am just buying new tubes that are reviewed well. The Gold Lions seem slightly better to my ears than the (old) JJ Teslas they replaced but the JJs have better bass fullness.
    Have looked at the thread describing your $140,000 amp and congratulate you on what must be a life changing experience. Hope you are keeping the kids to their lava lamp (now one of those I could buy...)
     
    AudioAddict, May 24, 2020
    #19
  20. Ontheone

    Ontheone Poorly Understood Member

    Location:
    Indianapolis
    Ontheone, May 24, 2020
    #20
  21. Steve Hoffman

    Steve Hoffman Your host Your Host

    Location:
    Los Angeles
    thanks. Remember, it's not my system, just a generous loan from Audio Note UK.

    I can say that I have a current make VAC amplifier that has all new GOLD LION 6550s (made in Russia) and TUNG-SOL 6SN7's (also made in the former USSR) and it sounds damn good. These tubes have to be a lot less expensive than NOS. But, matched is important in power tubes. Also remember, as tubes age, their matching starts changing so don't overpay for matched tubes. Ain't worth it. Just in the ballpark will do. And don't cryo your tubes..

    Over to y'all!
     
    Steve Hoffman, May 24, 2020
    #21
    showtaper likes this.
  22. AudioAddict

    AudioAddict Forum Resident

    Location:
    USA
    Thank you el mucho.
    Want to pass along my thanks for your site. Those of us just getting back into vinyl and tubes benefit tremendously from the knowledge and information your site makes available. Bill Hart's recent thread Precision Aqueous Cleaning of Vinyl Records is an example of the site working for all concerned -- and you to be praised for making this a reality. So please know that your expertise and skill is appreciated.
     
    AudioAddict, May 24, 2020
    #22
  23. Steve Hoffman

    Steve Hoffman Your host Your Host

    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Thank you very much. The goal is to make our hobby fun and fulfulling (and to not get ripped off..)
     
    Steve Hoffman, May 24, 2020
    #23
  24. RDriftwood

    RDriftwood Vintage Member

    Location:
    Midwestern US
    RDriftwood, May 24, 2020
    #24
    Dennis0675 likes this.
  25. Guildx500

    Guildx500 Forum Resident

    Location:
    California
    I’ve had good experiences buying new tubes from Upscale Audio. Tube Depot was hit and miss for me and I quit buying from them after I received a microphonic tube in an order and was out of pocket shipping it back to them to get a replacement.

     
    Guildx500, May 24, 2020
    #25
    fortherecord and Steve Hoffman like this.
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