[mordy]

That was my thought too - I think JV has some for sale; very good sounding tubes BTW.

 

[JKDJedi]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Western-El...012348&hash=item2639b1803b:g:magAAOSw-EZepwl2 <----- So the diffrence between a 421a and a 422a is what... $400? No really what are the differences?

 

[JKDJedi]

IBM 5998? What's the history on those tubes?

 

[gibosi]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Western-El...012348&hash=item2639b1803b:g:magAAOSw-EZepwl2 <----- So the diffrence between a 421a and a 422a is what... $400? No really what are the differences?

The 421A is a double triode, a souped up 5998. And the 422A is a rectifier.

 

[gibosi]

IBM 5998? What's the history on those tubes?

IBM purchased tons of 5998 for use in their early computers. And in fact, IBM purchased so many of them, that Chatham / Tung Sol often put IBM's part number on these tubes: 3002399, or 2399 for short. Otherwise, they are just a 5998. Nothing special.

 

[JKDJedi]

IBM purchased tons of 5998 for use in their early computers. And in fact, IBM purchased so many of them, that Chatham / Tung Sol often put IBM's part number on these tubes: 3002399, or 2399 for short. Otherwise, they are just a 5998. Nothing special.

ThANKS.. !

 

[JKDJedi]

IBM purchased tons of 5998 for use in their early computers. And in fact, IBM purchased so many of them, that Chatham / Tung Sol often put IBM's part number on these tubes: 3002399, or 2399 for short. Otherwise, they are just a 5998. Nothing special.

So this IBM 5998 got listed this morning on bid, and it seemed like the person didn't know what he had, made an offer for $50 and they excepted! Thinking I did ok. Stoked.

 

[mordy]

So this IBM 5998 got listed this morning on bid, and it seemed like the person didn't know what he had, made an offer for $50 and they excepted! Thinking I did ok. Stoked.

Good price - you did well. BTW, one of my 5998 tubes is an IBM labeled one.

 

[JKDJedi]

She just arrived! ANd.....She WORKS! And they offered another one for the same price... X( It was one of them to good to be true scenarios, so I just gambled on the one. All good! Full bodied sound, especially compared to the Sylvania 7236 (yesterdays roll)

 

[JKDJedi]

I never read or heard of the Western Electric 421a used as a preamp tube... o.O yet this site claims that it can be used as both Power and Preamp duties.. Thoughts?

"The Western Electric 421A is one of the best ever, large dual triode tubes intended for preamp use. You can build many amps & preamps around it. Traditionally considered to be a superior choice to 6SN7 types. We also receive advice from advanced hobbyists that the WE421A also makes for an excellent power output tube! Specifications confirm this... with a stated theoretical max up to 13 watts( plate output dissapation). That would be it's maxed out configuration. Considering that, real world audiophile users will run these tubes much more conservative fashion, still able to make plenty of power for high efficiency WE, Altec, Lansing, Electrovoice, Stephens, early JBL speakers .. and most any other modern tube friendly horn system. And by the way -- that's each (per) plate . So this one tube, in such a circuit, could potentially drive an entire 2 channel, ultra high efficieny system"

. http://www.hifitown.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=29960

 

[LoryWiv]

Thinning the heard. Posted TS 5998, RCA 6AS7G (+) for sale here on head-fi. Let me know if interested and happy listening.

 

[gibosi]

I never read or heard of the Western Electric 421a used as a preamp tube... o.O yet this site claims that it can be used as both Power and Preamp duties.. Thoughts?

"The Western Electric 421A is one of the best ever, large dual triode tubes intended for preamp use. You can build many amps & preamps around it. Traditionally considered to be a superior choice to 6SN7 types. We also receive advice from advanced hobbyists that the WE421A also makes for an excellent power output tube! Specifications confirm this... with a stated theoretical max up to 13 watts( plate output dissapation). That would be it's maxed out configuration. Considering that, real world audiophile users will run these tubes much more conservative fashion, still able to make plenty of power for high efficiency WE, Altec, Lansing, Electrovoice, Stephens, early JBL speakers .. and most any other modern tube friendly horn system. And by the way -- that's each (per) plate . So this one tube, in such a circuit, could potentially drive an entire 2 channel, ultra high efficieny system"

. http://www.hifitown.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=29960

Bold added by me. This reads like it was put together by Western Electric's sales and advertising group. To imply that all one has to do is to pull out an inferior low power 6SN7GT and swap in a more powerful WE421A (or 5998 or 6AS7G) and everything will be better is hogwash. lol

Edit: And I should add, Western Electric didn't make the 6SNGT. Rather, RCA developed it and owned all the patents.

 

[JKDJedi]

Bold added by me. This reads like it was put together by Western Electric's sales and advertising group. To imply that all one has to do is to pull out an inferior low power 6SN7GT and swap in a more powerful WE421A (or 5998 or 6AS7G) and everything will be better is hogwash. lol

Edit: And I should add, Western Electric didn't make the 6SNGT. Rather, RCA developed it and owned all the patents.

I thought so, I can see how people's can be mislead.

 

[wwmhf]

She just arrived! ANd.....She WORKS! And they offered another one for the same price... X( It was one of them to good to be true scenarios, so I just gambled on the one. All good! Full bodied sound, especially compared to the Sylvania 7236 (yesterdays roll)

It looks good, and it sounds good as you statement for sure.

 

[raindownthunda]

I have a WE 421a tube that seems to have stopped working in one channel (using a BHC). Has anyone experienced this before or have any tips on how to try to fix? I’ve tested at least 10 different power tubes and it is an issue with this one tube for sure.