Tube Vendors

jimdgoulding · « **Reply #160 on:** 8 Jan 2016, 08:29 pm »

Quote from: FullRangeMan on 23 Sep 2015, 05:22 pm

North American tube brokers always are bullish(and boutique prices) to send tubes to my country, so I buy direct from Russia, almost all vendors are reliable.
These brokers also buy in Russia and his alleged selecting process are non existent or poor.
So why pay more!

How's about a vendor and address?? Thanks. How do you pay?

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #161 on:** 8 Jan 2016, 08:48 pm »

Quote from: jimdgoulding on 8 Jan 2016, 08:29 pm

How's about a vendor and address?? Thanks. How do you pay?

My favor is GStubes, very reliable seller, Paypal.
http://www.gstube.com/catalog/?key=6C33&bl=&mmm=0&aaa=0&valuta=978
They are in vacancy till 15JAN, email reply may not be same day.
---
Used this other shop once and very friendly also:
http://www.sovtube.com/

Blu99Zoomer · « **Reply #162 on:** 14 Apr 2017, 06:59 pm »

Hi All,

Don't mean to interrupt the flow of the conversation. I just replaced the tubes in my Primaluna preamp with tubes from Vintage Tube Services (Andy) of Rockford, MI. They are only in the unit for a couple of days now but the music is back in a very pleasing way. More clarity, dynamics, and substance. Highs are definitely more extended. I have to say that I was stopped in my tracks several times by the sound change. Big smiles and Oh my's! Brushes on the drum head hissing sound like brushes on the drum head. Andy was very kind, patient, and knowledgeable during our conversations. He recommended RCA 12AU7's. I purchased a matched set of four. Terrific and thanks to Andy!

Best Regards,

Blu99Zoomer

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #163 on:** 14 Apr 2017, 07:03 pm »

Everybody praise VTS, thanks for inform.

G E · « **Reply #164 on:** 14 Apr 2017, 07:21 pm »

Andy is tops. Very colorful conversationalist. I'd like to hear him and Frank Van Alstine in the same room.

deadhead · « **Reply #165 on:** 17 Jul 2017, 08:43 pm »

I just ordered a set of tubes from Andy. Any idea what the turn around time is for him?

MiamiBoy · « **Reply #166 on:** 13 Nov 2017, 06:52 pm »

Seems important enough that this thread should be kept up to date with more current posts. Only five posts since Jan 2016.

JakeJ · « **Reply #167 on:** 15 Dec 2018, 02:47 pm »

Sorry, MiamiBoy, for not seeing this sooner. If you have perused our list of vendors and know of any changes that should be made please let us know who to add or delete.

Sadly I have one to delete: CryoSet Tubes as most of you know has closed its doors. But I stumbled across a vendor I have not seen before and am wondering if anyone has experience with http://www.tube-sale.com/? If so any experience with the "Golden Voice brand of tubes (also never heard of them before)?

Caveat emptor, I just noticed this site is not secure.

Thanks all,
JakeJ

G E · « **Reply #168 on:** 15 Dec 2018, 05:34 pm »

I talked to Andy Bowman this summer so my guess is he is still around

I bought 8 ancient Mullards from Brent Jesse this fall. Andy is my go to tube vendor but he did not have what I needed

Happy to report a fantastic transaction with Brent.

12au7 and 12ax7 tubes for my mew Hagerman Trumpet phono preamp.

Ericus Rex · « **Reply #169 on:** 15 Dec 2018, 06:14 pm »

vivatubes.com has some nice B-level NOS tubes (RFT, Tungsram etc). Prices are good and sales are frequent! They do a lot on eBay too. Current production tubes are usually the best prices you'll see for brand new.

JohnR · « **Reply #170 on:** 16 Dec 2018, 03:28 am »

Are we allowed to recommend eBay vendors? This guy only sells brand new stock fresh from the case. Or at least, that has been my experience with a number of sleeves I have purchased from him.

http://www.ebaystores.com/K5SVC

Nidri17 · « **Reply #171 on:** 16 Dec 2018, 07:52 am »

Sometimes you get better deals on European valves by using a European supplier.

This is one of the best:
(https://www.watfordvalves.com)

I've ordered from these guys on multiple occasions.
Mullard CV4024's, Philips/EI EL84's, Winged 'C' 6L6GC's, etc. etc.
Always been 100% happy with the packaging, tubes, etc.

Compare:
(https://www.watfordvalves.com/product_detail.asp?id=630)
or even the higher-grade:
(https://www.watfordvalves.com/product_detail.asp?id=4112)

vs, for example:
(http://www.mullardtubes.com/Mullard-ECC81-12AT7-CV4024/?id=0&Productid=152)

Just saying.

JakeJ · « **Reply #172 on:** 16 Dec 2018, 05:25 pm »

Absolutely! A good source is not to passed by, there are many on eBay.

The site I posted earlier uses eBay too, that's how I found them.
https://www.ebay.com/str/shuguangvalve

And thanks Nidri17 for the link to Watford Valves.

Labpro · « **Reply #173 on:** 9 Feb 2019, 03:45 am »

Sometimes you meet a seller on eBay that is 100% honest, and really knows their product.

I recently bought some pristine GE 6072 NOS NIB tubes for my Shindo Giscours.

The product was advertised as a matched pair, and I received exactly what was advertised.....tested perfectly.

The seller shipped within hours, communicated well, and his price was a little below many others.

I have "0" financial interest in this sellers company.

I just wanted to share a story about an honest seller who loves this business.

He has 100% feedback on eBay, with over 3,800 transactions.

The company is Edwards Audio Tubes, and the seller goes by the name Christopher2159.

Just thought I'd share with the audiophile community here.

Happy listening.

Labpro

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #174 on:** 9 Feb 2019, 03:20 pm »

Thanks for inform, seems a useful seller.

vkaiwar · « **Reply #175 on:** 10 Feb 2019, 07:41 pm »

I'm looking for a pair of 6GM8s for the Earmax (Brocksieper) OTL headphone amp (the original version not the pro). Vintage Tube Services does have some but they're way beyond my budget. Since they're no longer made I assume all remaining stock must be NOS. Finding a reliable supplier is a challenge. I bought a pair on Ebay that turned out to be noisy.

JakeJ · « **Reply #176 on:** 12 Feb 2019, 02:14 pm »

These vendors are reliable and honest and have the tube for less, but perhaps not as thoroughly tested.

https://www.thetubestore.com/6gm8-ecc86
https://www.tubedepot.com/products/6gm8-ecc86

I would call these vendors before purchasing to find out more particulars about the tubes they offer. I have puchased from both of these vendors and had no issues with the tubes I bought. Most are still in service.

GLWYS,
Jake

MiamiBoy · « **Reply #177 on:** 28 Mar 2019, 04:58 pm »

One lesson I learned recently that I want to share is to look to see if a tube vendor shares a physical mailing address on their website before ordering and if they do look it up in Google Maps to get a better idea of what is behind the slick web site. If they don't, be aware that you are likely dealing with a residential based business. Nothing wrong with that if from a known or recommended tube vendor but if ordering for the first time it is a clue as to what is behind the slick web site.

I recently ordered some tubes from a US based tube vendor's web site that had mission statements, policy verbiage, return policy, slick pictures and a lot of "we" words like they were a larger business. Slick web site...no address shown anywhere. Two of the tubes were bad in a way that I doubt they were good when shipped. When they sent me a return address and I looked it up on Google maps the street view showed a small house with a large garage. This vendor is not mentioned anywhere in this thread. I don't want to call them out as I am currently working toward a resolution via the PayPal resolution process with the "President" of this "company". He is also the only one that answers the phone, likely a cell phone.

JakeJ · « **Reply #178 on:** 28 Mar 2019, 05:15 pm »

Excellent point, Miamiboy. Thanks for sharing this in a non-dirty laundry manner.

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #179 on:** 29 Mar 2019, 09:22 am »

Address and a whare house is not suffice, last time I lost money on tubes was a old vendor and a well made site with full address, unfortunately he dont tested the tubes or send me his rejected stock.
Warranty and full test as Upscale or VTS are important.