[ru4music]

 
I will as well. I will try not to bid against my fellow HP members.

Thanks, we appreciate that!

 
A good match pair of 5998's testing close to NOS levels (+95%) should go for around $169 on Ebay.  A set went for that the other day with a buy-it-now.  At least tube prices seem to be coming back around to their normal high prices as opposed to the ludicrous pricing they were escalating to a year ago.

 

[abvolt]

I'll keep looking but I think that would be a good deal from the prices i'm seeing..

 

[Badas]

I think the best thing to do is none of us buy them unless they are at that price.
 
If they don't sell as they are too expensive the price will come down.

 

[abvolt]

good idea i'll go for that Lol..

 

[attmci]

  good idea i'll go for that Lol..

Funny.
 
But 5998 are not that expensive.
 
Check this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/MATCH-PAIR-RARE-1ST-VERSION-WESTERN-ELECTRIC-300A-300B-TUBE-SINGLE-CUP-GETTER-/301630393883?nma=true&si=mreGoahnV3sNWz6AMz2MlXRv4R8%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

 

[attmci]

  I think the best thing to do is none of us buy them unless they are at that price.
 
If they don't sell as they are too expensive the price will come down.

If u don't bid, try here:
 
https://www.vacuumtubes.net/RES%20Audio%20pages/5998.html

 

[abvolt]

wow I guess it's a good thing I don't own a 300b amp

 

[adeadcrab]

 
If u don't bid, try here:
 
https://www.vacuumtubes.net/RES%20Audio%20pages/5998.html

Have you bought from this site before? Are the tubes NOS? Or new at least?

 

[ru4music]

  I'll keep looking but I think that would be a good deal from the prices i'm seeing..

 
Just for reference to support what I stated above:
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/PAIR-TUNG-SOL-5998-AUDIO-TUBES-6080-6AS7-7236-WESTERN-ELECTRIC-421A-2-/121680789642?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c54bd808a
 
BTW, 6as7g tubes (the ones you're after; ST glass) are notorious for noise from low level hum(s).  However, they can sound sublime with the right music (e.g. female jazz etc.) and setup.  I have several NOS pairs and really love them except for some with slight hum issues (drives me nuts

).  The 5998s (relative to 6as7gs) are far more robust in all tube aspects: noise levels, and sound extension/ & musicality.  I don't know your setup and preferences but generally the 5998s are more than worth their investment.

 

[gibosi]

 
If u don't bid, try here:
 
https://www.vacuumtubes.net/RES%20Audio%20pages/5998.html

 
I have bought from them. They are a very reputable and honest vendor. However, the last time I checked, they didn't have anymore 5998s, so you might want to contact them to be sure.

 

[ru4music]

 
Funny.
 
But 5998 are not that expensive.
 
Check this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/MATCH-PAIR-RARE-1ST-VERSION-WESTERN-ELECTRIC-300A-300B-TUBE-SINGLE-CUP-GETTER-/301630393883?nma=true&si=mreGoahnV3sNWz6AMz2MlXRv4R8%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Wow!  Those WE 300b's are rare, but for the price I would buy a couple pairs of the Takatsuki 300b's and have plenty of coin to indulge in other areas (around $6k.)

 

[attmci]

To [u][color=rgb(0, 102, 204)]adeadcrab[/color][/u]

I purchased 5998s from them before.
 
"NOS" doesn't mean anything. Unless it's in the original box.

 

[mikoss]

Considering that the 421A, 2399, and 5998 are the same tube, paying large amounts for the WE is really silly.

 

[adeadcrab]

  To [u][color=rgb(0, 102, 204)]adeadcrab[/color][/u]

I purchased 5998s from them before.
 
"NOS" doesn't mean anything. Unless it's in the original box.

do they have dots in the flashing, making noises after a few days burn in? etc

 

[gibosi]

Considering that the 421A, 2399, and 5998 are the same tube, paying large amounts for the WE is really silly.

 
This would be true of a Chatham/Tung-Sol 421A, but not the Western Electric 421A. While the WE421A has the same plates, there are a few construction differences, and to my mind, it is not clear if Chatham manufactured these per Western Electric's specifications, or if Western Electric purchased the plates from Chatham and manufactured their 421As in one of their own factories.
 
I do not have a pair of WE421A and given their price, I suspect I never will. lol. And therefore, while I am very comfortable in stating that the Chatham/Tung-Sol 421A, 2399, 5998 are all the same tube, I can't say that the WE is the same as well....