Sold: Bendix Red Bank 6385 & 6106

Oscillate · « **on:** 18 Jan 2010, 04:36 am »

All Sold: Bendix Red Bank 6385 & 6106 vacuum tubes
These are all NOS (unused, in the original boxes)

I have one of each tube playing in my 2 channel system (a 6385 in the Paradisea+ DAC and
a 6106 in the Promitheus tube buffer power supply unit). I find both the 6106 & 6385 to be
resolving, with good dynamics (especially the bass). The sound remains smooth and never harsh.

Each Bendix Red Bank tube is rated at 10,000 hours longevity (please see the links in BLUE). Most
other brands have a life expectancy of only about half that... so yes, you pay more, but you get
more too.

If you wish to purchase, please send me a PM.
I will answer questions related to the tubes themselves here in this thread.

Acceptable methods of payment include PayPal (+ transaction fees) or US Postal money
order. Payment for items and shipping costs must be recieved prior to shipping.

Tubes ship from USA Postal Zip code 43082.
Shipping is via US Postal Service with Signature Confirmation.
The USPS Tracking Number will be PM'ed to the buyer upon shipping.
Anything I ship goes double boxed, heavily padded and sealed tight. The shipping
box will survive the parcel courrier gorilla test. I will ship Internationally... but it will be the buyers
responsibility to coordinate with me and insure that all proper paperwork (customs forms, declarations,
duties, insurance, etc...) are completed prior to shipping.

In the event that two different people wish to purchase the same item(s), or a last remaining
item, then preference will be given to the PM received with the earliest date & time stamp.

17 pieces (0 Remaining); 6385 Bendix Red Bank Type TE21
(Generic type 5670, 2C51, WE396A, 6N3P-DR)
All have a 11/64 packaging dates and S47 date codes as pictured. All unused NOS.
~~Price $125 USD each or $200 USD per pair + shipping~~ SOLD

10 pieces (0 Remaining); 6106 Bendix Red Bank JAN CEA Type TE22
(Generic type 5Y3GT, U50)
Packaging dates are 4/54, 12/54 and 4/55 as pictured. All unused NOS.
4 (0 Remaining) pieces packaging date 4/54 (date code 449)
4 (0 Remaining) pieces packaging date 12/54 (both date codes 501)
2 (0 Remaining) pieces packaging date 4/55
~~Price $40 USD each or $75 USD per pair + shipping~~ SOLD

...thanks for reading

gregfisk · « **Reply #1 on:** 4 Feb 2010, 01:00 am »

Oscillate, Just wanted to let you know the tubes showed up in great shape and as expected. Thank you for packaging them so well and letting me know exactly what I was getting. The WE396A that I have in my Havana makes the voices sound exceptional. Thank You again for a great transaction.

Greg

Shawnee · « **Reply #2 on:** 8 Feb 2010, 04:27 am »

Bruno- The Bendix 6106 tubes showed up in perfect condition. I almost didn't believe that the boxes were original because they are in perfect condition! Of course the tubes themsleves are perfect NOS just as described. Thanks again.

Oscillate · « **Reply #3 on:** 15 Feb 2010, 11:52 pm »

Post updated: Several folks have asked if I have any more of the WE396As for sale?
So I have added 4 pieces of WE396A, all with the same 539 (1955) Date Code. The
currently listed Bendix Red Bank 6385s, 6106s, and Western Electric 396As are ALL
the tubes I have available for sale ...there will be no other/further tubes offered.
Thanks

morganc · « **Reply #4 on:** 27 Feb 2010, 07:14 pm »

Thanks for the fast and professional service. I received the WE 396 A promptly after I placed my order and it is in great shape and sounds amazing!

Len_Dreyer · « **Reply #5 on:** 27 Feb 2010, 08:34 pm »

PM sent.

rpf · « **Reply #6 on:** 5 Mar 2010, 01:28 am »

Received the WE396A promptly, in excellent condition (incredibly well packed). It's also really nice sounding.

Thanks Bruno!

Tentacles · « **Reply #7 on:** 5 Mar 2010, 04:49 pm »

Absolutely perfect transaction, excellent communication, fast shipping, great packaging, couldn't ask for a better deal. Tubes were even better than expected, just like "new". Thank you!

Len_Dreyer · « **Reply #8 on:** 5 Mar 2010, 07:39 pm »

Quote from: Tentacles on 5 Mar 2010, 04:49 pm

Absolutely perfect transaction, excellent communication, fast shipping, great packaging, couldn't ask for a better deal. Tubes were even better than expected, just like "new". Thank you!

I'll gladly echo what everyone else has been saying. Listening to one of the Bendix 6385s now, beautiful. Thanks Bruno.

Len

Alexdad54 · « **Reply #9 on:** 6 Mar 2010, 01:18 am »

I also bought one of the W396A's, great communication and wonderful packaging! Now, I'm thinking about the Bendix....

Len_Dreyer · « **Reply #10 on:** 6 Mar 2010, 01:54 am »

Quote from: Alexdad54 on 6 Mar 2010, 01:18 am

I also bought one of the W396A's, great communication and wonderful packaging! Now, I'm thinking about the Bendix....

If I remember right, you recently bought a Havana.

on the Bendix 6385.

Len

Alexdad54 · « **Reply #11 on:** 6 Mar 2010, 03:53 am »

Yep, I just got the Havana hooked up and installed the WE396A but then had to leave for Calgary before trying it out. I am also awaiting the imminent arrival of an M2Tech HiFace converter as my final touch. I'm going to try rolling the WE396A and also the nice bunch of tubes that Tyson included in the Havana deal, all 5670's: 2 GE's, a Sylvania and a Hytron and then I'll look to a Bendix (also give some time for my bank account to recover!

).

Len_Dreyer · « **Reply #12 on:** 6 Mar 2010, 04:22 am »

Alexdad54,

Have fun. FWIW, the Bendix Red Bank 6385s are very hard to find and Bruno's prices, especially if you buy two, are a deal. I've been looking on and off for a year. I also have a WE396A & Tungsol 2C51, both very nice. Oscillate also recommended the RCA 5670 Command which is a new one on me.

Len

niamex · « **Reply #13 on:** 10 Mar 2010, 06:19 am »

oscilate,
you have mentioned : "The 6N3P-DR Russian Military was purchased NOS and used for about a week in comparison to the 6385 Bendix Red Bank." Let me know what is your impression from the comparison please. I've just bought s Havana and wander shall I try the russian tube.
Thanks

Oscillate · « **Reply #14 on:** 10 Mar 2010, 07:00 pm »

"The 6N3P-DR ... Let me know what is your impression from the comparison please."

I am actually glad someone finally asked this question! First, please don't spend more
than about $10 USD, if you decide to buy a 6N3P-DR. I had purchased mine from
BOI AudioWorks a couple of years ago for $7. I have seen recent sellers calling them
'rare' and asking for upwards of $30 per tube. They are neither rare, nor that pricey.

Regarding how one sounded in my Paradisea+ DAC... It has the same 'kind' of detailed
sound, dynamic range and extended tight bass as the Bendix 6385. I am not proficient
with audiophile lingo, so perhaps an analogy would help. If you were going to buy some
milk, the 6N3P-DR would taste like 2% lowfat. Whereas the Bendix 6385 would taste
like whole milk. Both tubes sound similar, but there is a notable difference in overall
sound quality. The Bendix 6385 is much smoother and more satisfying to listen to. But
then, for only about $10 per tube, the 6N3P-DR is a very good value. The 6N3P-DR
certainly sounded better (in my system), in every way, than the stock GE5670 that
came with the Paradisea+ DAC.

"Oscillate also recommended the RCA 5670 Command which is a new one on me."

This is another little gem that is 'value oriented'. I have recently seen this tube going for
the same prices as the GE5670s. I have had difficulty finding information on the RCA 5670
Command series. From what I have gathered on the Internet, I believe they were made for
broadcast and/or military use during the 1960s? This 5670 Command has black plates and a
top halo getter. I have seen the Command series described by vendors as "hand selected for
balanced sections and lowest microphonics and lowest noise.". For the last several days, I have
been listening to one in the Paradisea+ DAC (finally got around to it after 3 years -sheeesh!).
It has a rich, warm and wonderfully balanced tone, with a very nice controlled bass. It is not
as sweet or lush as the WE396A. Nor is it as detailed, and dynamic with great bass as the Bendix
6385 ...but it is a very pleasant midpoint between the two.

Yes, I do wish to sell the remaining Bendix Red Bank 6106s & 6385s that I have for sale.
So if you want (arguably) the best sounding, long-life and truely rare tubes available, then
please PM me. However this hobby of ours is not about making money, it is about enjoying music!
So if any of the above tube information is of help to audiophiles on a budget ...then it's all good

neilwill · « **Reply #15 on:** 12 Mar 2010, 05:14 pm »

Hi
My first post here and new to AC. I just wanted to give great feedback to Oscillate. I just received the Bendix 6385 from him and it was in new and unused conditioned just as described as well as being packed liked Fort Nox.

I'm using the tube in my MHDT Havana Dac and it improved the PRAT and detail significantly over my WE396A Square getter. Bass also tightened up very nicely. I highly recomend this for the Havana. This is the only place online that I could find this tube and at a very fair price.

Neil

satfrat · « **Reply #16 on:** 17 Mar 2010, 02:10 am »

You got a PM,,,,,

Thanks.

Cheers,
Robin

niamex · « **Reply #17 on:** 2 Apr 2010, 08:07 pm »

Hi Oscilate,
Thanks dor your comments. This game is endless but we have to try our best, so before I go higher /Bendix/ I'll try the Russian so called military edition DR / they say it was a replica to Bendix 6384/. I've got it for USD 5 and if I decidw to go for ten pcs the price will go down /considerably/. For the time being I am listening to the stock 5670 I got from the yellow brothers with the Havana and which sounds /to me/ warmer than WE 396. I found a place in New England where the cryo treatment is done for USD 2 per tube but for me the distance is a problem - postage and custom clearance kill the deal. Probably the next step will be the Bendix / I have found a stock in Poland - USD 150 a piece/. Have you ever tried a Bendix 6900 ?
Best regards, Ignat /Sofia, Bulgaria/

jdl007 · « **Reply #18 on:** 8 Apr 2010, 11:22 pm »

I would like to forward a big "thumbs up" to Oscillate for his very helpful demeanor. He traded many e-mails w/ me to help in my decision to purchase a Bendix 6385. His packaging can resist any mishap, short of being run over by a steam roller (NO KIDDING). He is a real class act.

THANKS AGAIN.........jdl

satfrat · « **Reply #19 on:** 9 Apr 2010, 05:27 am »

Well Oscillate, I got my Mhdt Havana and the newly purchased Bendix Red Bank 6385 tube back from being successfully cryoed by Cryoparts, now comes the fun part of breaking in and seasoning the Dac & tube. After 12 hours, the whole setup isn't nearly as laid back as it was before cryo'ing but from what i've read about cryo'd tubes, I'm not surprised. The clarity of the 6385 is still there, no doubt bout that and it's getting better n' better..

Compared to the GE 5670 that comes with the Havana and is a good tube in it's own right, the 6385 is in a whole different league clarity wise. Tawt bass and crystaline highs are the highlites of this fabulous tube. I think once things settle, the laid back features that the Havana had before cryo will return. This ain't my 1st rodeo with compionent cryo'ing, I've been down this road before. But I wanted to let you know upfront that there were no issues with the cryo'ing the Bendix Red Bank 6385.

Cheers,
Robin