Author Topic: Tube Dealers  (Read 29226 times)

Bigfish8

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Tube Dealers
« on: June 26, 2008, 05:35:53 AM »
I am interested to know tube dealers that you have used and would purchase from again.  My experience is as follows:

Various ebay suppliers -- no bad experiences yet with the exception that sometimes the tube pins are not clean.

http://vintagetubeservices.com/   Andy seems like a really nice guy and I received a quality pair of tubes from him but I had to wait about 6 weeks to receive them.

http://www.partsconnexion.com/  Excellent communication and immediate shipment.  I will definitely use them again if they have the tube I need.  Currently one of the few places left with the 6H30-DRs.

https://www.tubeworld.com/index_high.htm  Owner is very direct but immediately ships once order is placed.  I have purchased 3 tubes from him and will likely purchase again because he has a nice selection of NOS Tubes.

I look forward to reading about your experiences.

Ken






Offline richidoo

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Re: Tube Dealers
« Reply #1 on: June 26, 2008, 06:02:03 AM »
I've used Andy, he has some nice stuff, and a lot to teach about the value of tubes if you can stand his business style. I had to call and reorder again after 2 months of nothing, which meant ME remembering all the tubes he recommended in the first conversation.  I'm glad I wrote it down. But he made some great suggestions which worked very well for me with my Cary SLI-80
http://vintagetubeservices.com/

Jim McShane seems to have a good following and rep. He is a strong presence on Asylum where he espouses wisdom about tubes all the time. I have not purchased from him yet.
http://pages.prodigy.net/jimmcshane/

Eurotubes is exclusively JJ tubes. Service was excellent, but the tubes are still JJs. Sometimes they are awesome, sometimes they sound awesome but are noisy, crooked, unreliable. Sometimes they just suck.
http://www.eurotubes.com/  Five days now, I'm still waiting for a email reply about JJ EL509. Usually it is 20 minutes from him.

I use tubedepot.com often. I have been happy with their service and selection.  Not always happy with my choices though.

Roger Modjeski is famous for computerized tube testing. His prices are high, but has a large collection of good tubes. Worth a call, he is very helpful.
http://www.ramlabs-musicreference.com/

Bill O'Connell has also been known to have that very special tube on hand.
http://morningstaraudio.com/

The component manufacturer may have advice about which NOS tubes may work best. Such advice may come over a phone call, but not given publicly, especially if said NOS tube is difficult or expensive to procure ;)

Don't worry, once Chinese pirates realize the world needs more 6H30-DR they will fill the demand. I wish I was joking - but even odds that it will sound as good as the original Russian. They are getting very good now, I mean legit Chinese tube mfgs, not the pirates who just relabel junk tubes.
Rich

Offline bpape

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Re: Tube Dealers
« Reply #2 on: June 26, 2008, 07:24:55 AM »
This should be a sticky.

Bryan
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Offline Carlman

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Re: Tube Dealers
« Reply #3 on: June 26, 2008, 08:08:56 AM »
I'll add Upscale Audio to the list... You can view their tubes online here: http://www.upscaleaudio.com/view_category.asp?cat=38

They're a bit pricey but I've always gotten great advice, service, and tubes from them...

-C
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Offline Response Audio

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Re: Tube Dealers
« Reply #4 on: October 23, 2010, 10:39:47 AM »
I would like to add The Tube Store. I have been working with recommending them for several years and my customers have always been happy with the service provided by Jon.

http://www.thetubestore.com
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Offline sleepyguy24

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Re: Tube Dealers
« Reply #5 on: July 20, 2012, 12:46:42 PM »
Sorry to update such an old thread but as many of you already know Jim McShane's site has changed.

http://www.mcshanedesign.net/tubes.htm

I bought some 12AX7 and 12AT7 tubes from him for my Jolida 502P and he was a pleasure to deal with.

Brent Jessee has been good to me as well.

http://www.audiotubes.com/


Offline woofersus

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Re: Tube Dealers
« Reply #6 on: July 24, 2012, 08:09:31 AM »
Old or not, this thread is a good reference.  I hadn't seen it before.

The only time I've bought tubes from a store rather than an individual on a forum it was from Antique Audio Supply. (www.tubesandmore.com)  Their price was the best by a fair margin, they shipped quickly, and when one of the four had a problem after a few weeks they shipped a replacement right away with no hassle.

I didn't call or ask for any advice, though, so I can't comment on that.
Tim Evans
East Street Audio
Onix, Melody, & ACA

Offline sleepyguy24

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Re: Tube Dealers
« Reply #7 on: March 07, 2013, 03:42:09 PM »
I hope this post does not offend but if you are looking for Shuguang Chinese tubes that have not been re-labeled this is a good source.

http://www.goodcomponent.com/

I saw this site mentioned on AC and another tube blog. From the pics the tubes look very blah but if you don't care about that you can save some money on the Chinese tubes.

Offline richidoo

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Re: Tube Dealers
« Reply #8 on: March 07, 2013, 03:59:29 PM »
I did finally buy some tubes from Jim McShane last month. He was very helpful and has great prices and close matching. I will order from him again.

Another one I got good personal advice from and want to try sometime is http://tctubes.com/
They have a good burn in and testing program. Very knowledgeable and helpful.

Offline richidoo

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Re: Tube Dealers
« Reply #9 on: December 15, 2013, 01:02:10 PM »
Who is that Taiwanese Ebay seller of Shuguang Black Treasure tubes that a lot of people have been buying from the last few years? I can't find any old posts that refer to him, but I remember there is someone who gets them right from the factory and does a good job for decent prices.

Thanks!

Offline sleepyguy24

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Re: Tube Dealers
« Reply #10 on: December 15, 2013, 08:23:37 PM »
Hi Rich

I believe the Taiwanese Ebay seller you are referring too is: Ayumi Studios.

http://stores.ebay.com/ayumistudio/

If this is incorrect just let m know and I'll delete this post. For the Black Treasure tubes I say contact Grant Fidelity as well. There is another lady who I saw listed Black Treasure tubes on Audio Asylum Trader but I think their outfit is from China.

Best of luck with the search.

Offline richidoo

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Re: Tube Dealers
« Reply #11 on: December 16, 2013, 05:55:18 AM »
That's not the store I was looking for, but thanks Sleepy!

I think it is Hanshare Electronics out of Hong Kong:
http://www.ebay.com/usr/hanshare-electronics

Offline BobM

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Re: Tube Dealers
« Reply #12 on: January 06, 2014, 08:24:44 AM »
There are also several sellers of Russian tubes on e-bay. Sure, it takes a month to receive them, but shipping costs are actually pretty low and the price of the tubes from them is far below what you might pay from one of the "regular" dealers.

Same for Russian military grade capacitors.
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Offline Bill O'Connell

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Re: Tube Dealers
« Reply #13 on: January 07, 2014, 06:58:57 AM »
That's not the store I was looking for, but thanks Sleepy!

I think it is Hanshare Electronics out of Hong Kong:
http://www.ebay.com/usr/hanshare-electronics

 Rich , the gentleman's name is Ricky from Hanshare-Electronics. I'm not sure what tubes your looking for but he also carries the Canada Fuller line of tubes and their 6CA7/EL34 are very very good.I believe he still offers a one year guarantee on his power tubes which is fantastic.
Bill O'Connell,
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Offline richidoo

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Re: Tube Dealers
« Reply #14 on: January 07, 2014, 07:59:29 AM »
Thanks Bill! Nice Vette!