[Guy 13]

Hi all Audio Circle members.
Some of you might know already that next year I will be back in my home beautiful and civilized country Canada.
I have the intention of up grading all the tubes of my audio stuff.
The Decware SE-84C+ which uses two EL-84, one 6922 and one 5AR4, also the phono preamp Bellari VP-129 with one 12AX7
I’ve pretty much decided to buy the Tung Sol and/or the Gold Lion, however, I decided to set a maximum of about 20 USD for each tube. It’s against my philosophy to spend 60 USD for one tube. Three times the prices does not mean three times the sound quality.
Once back in Canada, for me it will make sense to buy from The Tube Store (in Canada) cheaper transport and no custom duty tax to pay.   
I wanted to by the Northen Electric tubes (Made in Canada) but at almost 60 USD each it’s above my budget and logic.
Any and all suggestions are welcome.
At the moment, I don’t have any headphones amplifier, however, I am 99.99999% sure that I will buy and built the Bottlehead Crack (W/speedball up-grade) because all the reviews for the crack are are so good and the price is really within my budget.
For the look, I do prefer the Schiit Valhalla, but according to the reviews the Crack is better sounding, especially with the Senn. HD-650 that I want to buy and if I don’t buy the HD-650, I can use my Senn. HD-570 that I have now and that are not bad at all.

Guy 13

[JakeJ]

One option you might consider, Guy 13, is the Psvane tubes from Grant Fidelity.  Since Grant is in Canada you would avoid import tariffs and if you plan to continue your audio business you may be able to negotiate special pricing as you'll be using your equipment to demo speakers with.  Yes, they are more expensive but still less than $60 each.

I would also recommend the Gold Lion re-issue EL-84 as that is a tube I would try just based on my experience with their KT-88 tubes.

Good luck on your relocation.  I'm sure it will be a monumental task after so many years in Viet Nam.  Can I safely assume you'll be settling somewhere in the eastern, French speaking part of Canada? 

[Ericus Rex]

Hi Guy,

I'd suggest looking at NOS American tubes too.  The Tube Store has JAN Philips 6922's for $30 each and I think they'd compare favorably against nearly all current production.

Unfortunately, all 12AX7 NOS types are a bit more than you want to pay...$40 for a JAN-GE 5751 for starts.  You'll probably have to go current production there.  The JJ ECC803-S has gotten some good reviews.

5AR4 - you're stuck with current production.  NOS brands of that tube have gotten ridiculously expensive.  Sovteks are reliable.

As far as the EL84, I don't have any equipment that uses this tube so I don't have experience with the brands.  I'd probably stretch my budget just a tad and get the RFTs at $35 each.  I have RFT EL34s and they are real bargains for relatively little money.  I would hope the EL84 is just as sweet.

Welcome back to North America!

[Captainhemo]

Guy
If you  aren't too worried about the appearence of the  tube,   Brent Jessie sometimes  has  NOS  " butt ugly"  tubes  (missing / smudged labels)  including  12ax7  at   very cheap prices . Also has   quite a few of the   not so sought after NOS 12AX7's at good prices, around $30 / tube.
He'll ship to Canada  using USPS first Class  fo much  less  than   his priority rate,  just contact him  for a quote.
http://www.audiotubes.com/12ax7.htm

-jay

[Syrah]

Hi Guy,

Fellow ex pat Canuck here.  The Psvane 12ax7s are the bomb.  I've compared many.  As for the 5ar4, I've also compared quite a few, but I think your results might depend upon circuit design.  The 6106 was the best for my preamp, but it sucked in my Modwright CD player.  I like the Tung Sol EL34 a lot.

[Guy 13]

Guy
If you  aren't too worried about the appearence of the  tube,   Brent Jessie sometimes  has  NOS  " butt ugly"  tubes  (missing / smudged labels)  including  12ax7  at   very cheap prices . Also has   quite a few of the   not so sought after NOS 12AX7's at good prices, around $30 / tube.
He'll ship to Canada  using USPS first Class  fo much  less  than   his priority rate,  just contact him  for a quote.
http://www.audiotubes.com/12ax7.htm

-jay

Hi Jay and all Audio Circle members.
As a matter of fact,
I am more or less interested in tube that look like Coke bottle
unless they have super audio performances.
Don't care too much about missing labels.
I can buy from audiotubes and get my order shipped
to one of my two relatives
in Chicago or Seattle
and they can bring them to me next time they will visit me,
I just have to be patient.
Thanks for the advice.

Guy 13

[Guy 13]

Hi Guy,

I'd suggest looking at NOS American tubes too.  The Tube Store has JAN Philips 6922's for $30 each and I think they'd compare favorably against nearly all current production.

Unfortunately, all 12AX7 NOS types are a bit more than you want to pay...$40 for a JAN-GE 5751 for starts.  You'll probably have to go current production there.  The JJ ECC803-S has gotten some good reviews.

5AR4 - you're stuck with current production.  NOS brands of that tube have gotten ridiculously expensive.  Sovteks are reliable.

As far as the EL84, I don't have any equipment that uses this tube so I don't have experience with the brands.  I'd probably stretch my budget just a tad and get the RFTs at $35 each.  I have RFT EL34s and they are real bargains for relatively little money.  I would hope the EL84 is just as sweet.

Welcome back to North America!

Hi Ericus Rex and all Audio Circle members.
Thanks for all the information.
That points me in the right direction.
I am not back yet in north America,
I intend to go back to Canada middle of 2014.
I am anxious, there is so much choice in Canada compare to Vietnam.
In Vietnam, it's not what you want, but what they have.

Guy 13

[Guy 13]

Hi Guy,

Fellow ex pat Canuck here.  The Psvane 12ax7s are the bomb.  I've compared many.  As for the 5ar4, I've also compared quite a few, but I think your results might depend upon circuit design.  The 6106 was the best for my preamp, but it sucked in my Modwright CD player.  I like the Tung Sol EL34 a lot.

Hi Syrah and all Audio Circle members.
I just finish surfing on the Internet for Psvane
and most if not all of them are over my budget.
I read lots of good reviews on the Tung Sol
that it's becoming my first choice.
Thanks.

Guy 13

[Guy 13]

One option you might consider, Guy 13, is the Psvane tubes from Grant Fidelity.  Since Grant is in Canada you would avoid import tariffs and if you plan to continue your audio business you may be able to negotiate special pricing as you'll be using your equipment to demo speakers with.  Yes, they are more expensive but still less than $60 each.

I would also recommend the Gold Lion re-issue EL-84 as that is a tube I would try just based on my experience with their KT-88 tubes.

Good luck on your relocation.  I'm sure it will be a monumental task after so many years in Viet Nam.  Can I safely assume you'll be settling somewhere in the eastern, French speaking part of Canada?

Hi JakeJ and all Audio Circle members.
The first time I visited Grant Fidelity website I thought they were expensive,
but that's my first impression and my first impressions are not always
a good one and I need to give it a second try.
Gold Lion is my second choice after Tung Sol.
Gold Lion tube are more expensive than the Tung Sol,
as a matter of fact, they are double the price, but just a little over my budget.
After a total of almost 19 years inn Vietnam, what will be the more difficult will be the Canadian winters and even the spring and fall.
Anything below 20C/68F for me, now is cold.
The average temperature in Vietnam,
almost all year round is 30C/85F and many times mush higher.
The second difficult part of going back to Canada is the cost of living, especially living only on retirement funds, at least until my Vietnamese wife can sell our house and business.
Other than living in Vietnam, I lived all my life in Montreal, Quebec and in the province of Quebec, 80% of the people speak French and many only speaks French.
Thanks for your advice.

Guy 13

 

[Octadyn]

Hey Guy
How many output tubes do you need? I mean isn't $60 - $100 each for tubes less than a new amp or pre-amp? You noticed the point of diminishing returns. To me all little steps up add up pretty fast.  But I will say say the input and driver/inverter tubes can make a huge difference too for less $$$.
Best
George 

[Guy 13]

Hey Guy
How many output tubes do you need? I mean isn't $60 - $100 each for tubes less than a new amp or pre-amp? You noticed the point of diminishing returns. To me all little steps up add up pretty fast.  But I will say say the input and driver/inverter tubes can make a huge difference too for less $$$.
Best
George

Hi George Octadyn and all Audio Circle members.
I was browsing thru old posts when I saw that I did not answer/comment your post,
I am sorry about that.
I usually make it a must to answer all the posts that Audio Circle send me.
I know that the input tube can make a big difference in the sound of an amplifier,
that's why I bought what I think is a good one.
See my post(s) on the 6080 tube.
Thanks and sorry again.

Guy 13