AudioNervosa

Systemic Development => Amplification and Preamplification => Tubes => Topic started by: Bigfish8 on June 26, 2008, 05:35:53 AM

Title: Tube Dealers
Post by: Bigfish8 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





Title: Re: Tube Dealers
Post by: richidoo 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
Title: Re: Tube Dealers
Post by: bpape on June 26, 2008, 07:24:55 AM
This should be a sticky.

Bryan
Title: Re: Tube Dealers
Post by: Carlman 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
Title: Re: Tube Dealers
Post by: Response Audio 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 (http://www.thetubestore.com)
Title: Re: Tube Dealers
Post by: sleepyguy24 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 (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/ (http://www.audiotubes.com/)

Title: Re: Tube Dealers
Post by: woofersus 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 (http://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.
Title: Re: Tube Dealers
Post by: sleepyguy24 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/ (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.
Title: Re: Tube Dealers
Post by: richidoo 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/ (http://tctubes.com/)
They have a good burn in and testing program. Very knowledgeable and helpful.
Title: Re: Tube Dealers
Post by: richidoo 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!
Title: Re: Tube Dealers
Post by: sleepyguy24 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/ (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.
Title: Re: Tube Dealers
Post by: richidoo 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 (http://www.ebay.com/usr/hanshare-electronics)
Title: Re: Tube Dealers
Post by: BobM 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.
Title: Re: Tube Dealers
Post by: Bill O'Connell 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 (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.
Title: Re: Tube Dealers
Post by: richidoo on January 07, 2014, 07:59:29 AM
Thanks Bill! Nice Vette!
Title: Re: Tube Dealers
Post by: Bill O'Connell on January 08, 2014, 08:40:23 AM
Rich,
 Picked it up from my buddy in Arizona, 2002 C5 28,500 miles,ceramic headers,custom stainless steel exhaust, custom wheels, air induction aftermarket, all for 20K. I had it shipped up so not to put on any miles. Of course I ripped out that Bose system,dyna-matted the inside, dropped in about 3.5K into the audio system.
 Every time I turn the key it puts a big smile on my face. A bit impractical for a over-weight 60 year old as it is my driver but I grew up with a lot of muscle cars in my youth, they weren't mine but my best man at my wedding owned some of the finest cars ever produced for sheer speed. This deal came along as Frank was one of my audio customers  and we have visited a few times over the years and I consider him one of my best friends.I just picked up the vanity plate TUBES. LOL
Title: Re: Tube Dealers
Post by: mlee on January 08, 2014, 09:09:33 AM
If you are in the New York City area, I got my start through Paul Mah - personal and reliable service and reasonable prices - dealing primarily in signal and driver tubes.
Title: Re: Tube Dealers
Post by: Russian_Glass on August 04, 2014, 06:37:11 AM
"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
It depends on the distributor.  The Chinese ARE getting better about manufacture, but their shipping and quality-control is sub-standard, leaving it to companies like PSVane and Grant Fidelity to sort out the best ones. (Even then, they still can't match the quality of pre-Perestroika Russian manufacture.

For Russian tubes, Denys Andreievich and Anton Zverev are the only tube vendors I can consistently recommend. I DO have some small quantities of good NOS/tested Russian tubes here in the states I part with from time to time, (but don't bother asking about DR's - I have switched to 6N6π's and never looked back myself).
Title: Re: Tube Dealers
Post by: steve on August 09, 2017, 08:16:48 PM
The new Telefunken E88cc/6922, from JJ, is absolutely world class, unbelievably quiet, and what I use in my
test phono stage. I would not use any other tube in my phono. It is touchy to design around compared to other tubes,
so beware.

http://store.t-funk.com/p/e88cc-tk-6922-vacuum-tube?pp=24

I have not tried any of the other Telefunken types being manufactured, they are expensive. If they got the distortion down as they have the small signal types, they could be really really nice.

Cheers
Steve
Title: Re: Tube Dealers
Post by: Nick B on August 09, 2017, 08:25:03 PM
The new Telefunken E88cc/6922, from JJ, is absolutely world class, unbelievably quiet, and what I use in my
test phono stage. I would not use any other tube in my phono. It is touchy to design around compared to other tubes,
so not necessarily for every one.

http://store.t-funk.com/p/e88cc-tk-6922-vacuum-tube?pp=24

I have not tried any of the other Telefunken types being manufactured, they are expensive. If they got the distortion down as they have the small signal types, they could be really really nice.

Cheers
Steve

Steve,
Had you offered a phono stage before when your business was active or is this a new venture nowadays?
Nick
Title: Re: Tube Dealers
Post by: steve on August 09, 2017, 08:49:06 PM
The new Telefunken E88cc/6922, from JJ, is absolutely world class, unbelievably quiet, and what I use in my
test phono stage. I would not use any other tube in my phono. It is touchy to design around compared to other tubes,
so not necessarily for every one.

http://store.t-funk.com/p/e88cc-tk-6922-vacuum-tube?pp=24

I have not tried any of the other Telefunken types being manufactured, they are expensive. If they got the distortion down as they have the small signal types, they could be really really nice.

Cheers
Steve

Steve,
Had you offered a phono stage before when your business was active or is this a new venture nowadays?
Nick

I never offered, thought there was not alot of demand. It is something I have tinkered around with since before the company's beginnings. It has some 36db gain, within 0,5% tolerance capacitors using my Tektronix cap meter, adjustable 3180us time constant. So it is not really high gain, but the Acutex 320 STR cartridge works really great. I would like to up the gain a little more though, sometime.

Cheers

Steve
Title: Re: Tube Dealers
Post by: Guy 13 on August 31, 2019, 07:53:24 AM
Hi all.
I bought a few tubes from Tubedepot and was satisfied with their service.

Guy 13
Title: Re: Tube Dealers
Post by: steve on August 19, 2021, 10:25:38 AM
Just found this tube site. Sells tubes other goodies.

https://vacuumtubevalues.com/

cheers

steve