WE 417a Tubes

kleinbje · « **on:** 10 May 2014, 01:42 am »

Hi,
My phono pre can use these or 5842's. I'm running Amperex 5842's now and was wondering what to expect with the Western Electrics. Also does anyone know a source?

Thanks
jeff

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #1 on:** 16 May 2014, 11:34 am »

Tubedepot have both these tubes>
https://www.tubedepot.com/t/tubes/preamp-tubes/417a-5842

Ebay have various sellers:
http://www.ebay.com/bhp/417a-tube

rollo · « **Reply #2 on:** 16 May 2014, 02:17 pm »

I use them in my phonostage. Be careful with private vendors as the 417A has a history of being microphonic. That is one reason the cost is high. One has to go through many to find quiet ones. Sonically just night and day difference over the 5842. IMO well worth the money.
They last a long time and if you can swing the cost get them. A herbies tube damper is not a necessity but will make it even better.

charles

kleinbje · « **Reply #3 on:** 17 May 2014, 05:45 pm »

Quote from: rollo on 16 May 2014, 02:17 pm

I use them in my phonostage. Be careful with private vendors as the 417A has a history of being microphonic. That is one reason the cost is high. One has to go through many to find quiet ones. Sonically just night and day difference over the 5842. IMO well worth the money.
They last a long time and if you can swing the cost get them. A herbies tube damper is not a necessity but will make it even better.

charles

Great info, thanks Charles. I found some 417a on ebay 80$ each nos, tube depot is sold out. They are steep there 174$ a pop! Gonna roll them in today! What changes do you recall over the 5842's. I also picked up a rectifier, will this effect the sound, or is there too little current being drawn. I have Herbies for my 7308's, but the LAmm has these metal shields and spings, are the herbies preferable to these metal sleeves? What is the best way to assess for microphony?

Steve · « **Reply #4 on:** 18 May 2014, 02:49 am »

Quote from: kleinbje on 17 May 2014, 05:45 pm

What is the best way to assess for microphony?

Sorry I am late posting. If they were like my WE 417s back in the 60s, you won't have any problems assessing. They will
howl like a wolf in the night.

However, mine were from MARS, Military Affiliate Radio System. I am hoping mine were some sort of rejects and yours will work ok.

Good luck.

Triode Pete · « **Reply #5 on:** 18 May 2014, 02:57 am »

I have several pairs that work magnificently in my Arthur Loesch phono pre-amp... but charles (rollo) is absolutely correct... many can be microphonic... but once you get a silent pair... you've hit "Nirvana"!

Happy Listening,
Pete

kleinbje · « **Reply #6 on:** 19 May 2014, 12:37 pm »

Well these are dead quiet and improving every hour it seems! You weren't blowing hot air, these are amazing tubes. On my Chinook I rolled the stock tubes through the best 6dj8>6922's>7308's siemens and Amperex, never had as dramatic change as this. These image like a MF, so defines and 3d. Wow im sold, are these the best 417a they make(WE)? Mine are nos 1965*2 and 70*2, are older ones better?

Steve · « **Reply #7 on:** 19 May 2014, 05:40 pm »

Quote from: kleinbje on 19 May 2014, 12:37 pm

Well these are dead quiet and improving every hour it seems! You weren't blowing hot air, these are amazing tubes. On my Chinook I rolled the stock tubes through the best 6dj8>6922's>7308's siemens and Amperex, never had as dramatic change as this. These image like a MF, so defines and 3d. Wow im sold, are these the best 417a they make(WE)? Mine are nos 1965*2 and 70*2, are older ones better?

I am glad to hear they work very very nicely Kleinbje. MARS was obviously giving us rejects twice a year, as well as other outlets that Rollo encountered.

Continued good success Klein.

Cheers