Where do you get your tubes?

maxwalrath · « **on:** 7 Jan 2004, 12:23 am »

I just got a Minimax pre (Radiohead sounds GREAT with the stock tubes as I'm writing this) and was wondering where I should look to get NOS tubes. When I had Jolida products in the past I always ended up buying from a couple of people on Audiogon. I want a website to buy from this time, the tubes everyone seems excited about with the eastern electric don't come up used so often, and the only one I know that people have used with success is upscale audio. Any suggestions?

spectralman · « **Reply #1 on:** 7 Jan 2004, 05:15 am »

I haven't purchased anything from them (yet), but here is one source: www.thetubestore.com. HTH

Bill

byteme · « **Reply #2 on:** 7 Jan 2004, 05:19 am »

I always go through two places.

First is - http://www.vacuumtubesinc.com/ good selection good prices but doens't test for microphonics and such. But very quick shipping and reliable - they know their stuff

Second is - http://www.tubeworld.com - probably more info than you can imagine about tubes and all tested. Expensive but you get what you pay for for sure.

For some reason Upscale always has rubbed me the wrong way. I'm not sure why...

nature boy · « **Reply #3 on:** 7 Jan 2004, 04:40 pm »

Max,

I picked up nice NOS tubes for my MiniMax from a couple of AudioGon and eBay sellers that I trust.

You might try a PM to Bill O'Connell and Nathan Loyer.

I'll drop you a PM when I get home with AudioGon and eBay sellers I trust.

NB

maxwalrath · « **Reply #4 on:** 7 Jan 2004, 06:38 pm »

I hear you byteme...I called upscale audio looking for a cheap pair of 12ax7's for a Jolida I own and was told "we don't carry that shit." I curse all the time, it just threw me off hearing that from a salesperson I had spent 10 seconds speaking to. I would still buy from them, but I'd like to get the exact type recommended by other Minimax users. I don't want to spend all that time comparing tubes I can't really afford anyway.

zybar · « **Reply #5 on:** 7 Jan 2004, 07:28 pm »

I don't know about the cursing...but Upscale has always been very good when I deal with them.

Can Kevin get a little moddy? Absolutely.

Are their prices a little on the high side? Yeah.

Do they have a huge selection and stand behind their tubes? 100% ABSOLUTELY!

I have boought and will continue to buy from Upscale. I also like the fact that Kevin is very knowledgable and once he gets to know you he can easily pick out tubes to suite your tastes.

GW

maxwalrath · « **Reply #6 on:** 7 Jan 2004, 07:39 pm »

I agree with you, and I would buy from upscale, they just don't have the particular types of tubes recommended for the Minimax right now. I really didn't mind the cursing, it just threw me off. I think the person was trying to empasize that they carry exceptional tubes, which can't be argued.

byteme · « **Reply #7 on:** 7 Jan 2004, 07:49 pm »

Max,

I just got off the phone with Brandon from Tubeworld. Another great transaction. He's really a top notch guy and knows his stuff. The tubes aren't exactly cheap but you will get what you pay for.

doug s. · « **Reply #8 on:** 7 Jan 2004, 08:32 pm »

i like:

http://chimeralabs.com/
http://bws-tube.com/
http://vacuumtubes.com/
http://tubeman.com/
http://eurotubes.com/

i have also had good luck on ebay - lotsa tube sellers there have *tons* of feedback - they do it as a supplement for their living...

doug s.