[Magic77]

These look nice:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/274836712584

My biggest concern with buying NOS tubes off AE is whether they're legit or knock-offs. Personally, I'd recommend sticking with trusted, established sellers to be Yeah

 

[Magic77]

My biggest concern with buying NOS tubes off AE is whether they're legit or knock-offs. Personally, I'd recommend sticking with trusted, established sellers to be safe

Yeah, I was thinking of that too. How about these from eBay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/274836712584

 

[LobalWarming]

Yeah, I was thinking of that too. How about these from eBay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/274836712584

If you like the GE 5670 better than a WE 396A. Really need to get both to be sure. As well as RCA Command 5670, TS 2C51 and 6CC42. Personal preferences is the most important thing in personal audio.

 

[jonathan c]

[Posted in the 'Schiit Happened' thread]

 

[DrMorbius]

My biggest concern with buying NOS tubes off AE is whether they're legit or knock-offs. Personally, I'd recommend sticking with trusted, established sellers to be safe

I’ve seen China making these tubes and marking them WE /Western Electric…………………I have a feeling that’s the case here.

 

[mch12000]

Yesterday I received the RCA Command 5670 tube and gave it a listen last night. After 2 hours, I got so lost in the music that I forgot I was supposed to be comparing tubes, haha. The RCA is great, but a slightly darker and smaller headstage than the GE 5 star. If I had to choose my favorite it would be the 5 star and it's magical headstage.

I think I'm done auditioning tubes for now. I'm not sure what's left to try anyway, and I have no desire to overpay for the WE 396. Yet.

This is, by far, the most fun I've had listening to headphones!

 

[username643827]

I'd go straight for the endgame tube. WE396A. You could spend so much money buying "cheap tubes & adapters" that sound decent, only to find, in the end, the WE396A is what you should have had all along. Then you never have tube "nervosa". Like I said before, $149+$170 for the tube is still only $320 all-in, which is $80 less than the Jotenheim2. And this combo beats Jotenheim2 hands down.

Yeah, I got my used, "tests strong" WE396A for $100. Worth every freaking dime.

I found a few, here they are

1966

https://www.ebay.com/itm/116077349505?itmmeta=01HV3N9JF7V58EVC0M2JYXDV88&hash=item1b06bfca81:g:5LMAAOSw~yFjYUnm&itmprp=enc:AQAJAAAA4IwmCzp1dIp+mw7qj2u/BPZyZ8QyWT4frLzTx5tDminGOxe1/cNwfCLe+G1hs/sseX9kYhIUStzXlLPbHrIE0skQiQevcGQw6BbqhEnvbtDF4Fkq+MYf8kH+HBT8VX8KL4NvaH0aTFj1IVE6at73adsZpSqoiyYMsHR/9du/2ofkmkHNpfZja6fDhwnMYYZG6KqtlOHCNbTtzqUuUUR1dCCDfiZq26Ov0IPeCTPHSudEgtUsqYsokPYvC3WNgkca2mwbOBAbW3uLIfCvs1+gwdn9t/0+3ULHMrSVHOYkSJet|tkp:Bk9SR9qnpvXYYw

1950

https://www.ebay.com/itm/116105948491?itmmeta=01HV3N9JF7M1DFAMY1WK36PRJS&hash=item1b08742d4b:g:HbIAAOSwK0tl89fL&itmprp=enc:AQAJAAAA4G3tFMQCFQoXfrxbqgyCS6HnKkeZR0iLwd4Wjjlqc3N00XU5EmSup6izqEGoWW7u9k9FJMlohPfjAmhAV15VvCdfWAfDF82uPIzZXIrqE1OKxrA72+5WoCis+mcJYWtCX0ESMC/t1fNQyKiAX/1cNZf9i1X0TRn6JB6qZViNKvOtyicdgrx0MRcOQ+vQ72BTL9h1HYv/4nsknigHsclRWcW6bE4jbJfaaTwqw6Di82/bHCwN3q96HZ+qm8YCta+E1r6C10vxFep98YvsfczavlGniWTWIb15v+ZXCuRYKMQl|tkp:Bk9SR9qnpvXYYw

Why are older ones more expensive? are they worth more buying?

There is also this one

https://www.ebay.com/itm/3133852504...SkZ3/RIY/7REUMYmqaVDmOfg==|tkp:Bk9SR6aVvfXYYw

 

[LobalWarming]

I found a few, here they are

1966

https://www.ebay.com/itm/116077349505?itmmeta=01HV3N9JF7V58EVC0M2JYXDV88&hash=item1b06bfca81:g:5LMAAOSw~yFjYUnm&itmprp=enc:AQAJAAAA4IwmCzp1dIp+mw7qj2u/BPZyZ8QyWT4frLzTx5tDminGOxe1/cNwfCLe+G1hs/sseX9kYhIUStzXlLPbHrIE0skQiQevcGQw6BbqhEnvbtDF4Fkq+MYf8kH+HBT8VX8KL4NvaH0aTFj1IVE6at73adsZpSqoiyYMsHR/9du/2ofkmkHNpfZja6fDhwnMYYZG6KqtlOHCNbTtzqUuUUR1dCCDfiZq26Ov0IPeCTPHSudEgtUsqYsokPYvC3WNgkca2mwbOBAbW3uLIfCvs1+gwdn9t/0+3ULHMrSVHOYkSJet|tkp:Bk9SR9qnpvXYYw

Not too bad... section balance isn't great for the price.

1950

https://www.ebay.com/itm/116105948491?itmmeta=01HV3N9JF7M1DFAMY1WK36PRJS&hash=item1b08742d4b:g:HbIAAOSwK0tl89fL&itmprp=enc:AQAJAAAA4G3tFMQCFQoXfrxbqgyCS6HnKkeZR0iLwd4Wjjlqc3N00XU5EmSup6izqEGoWW7u9k9FJMlohPfjAmhAV15VvCdfWAfDF82uPIzZXIrqE1OKxrA72+5WoCis+mcJYWtCX0ESMC/t1fNQyKiAX/1cNZf9i1X0TRn6JB6qZViNKvOtyicdgrx0MRcOQ+vQ72BTL9h1HYv/4nsknigHsclRWcW6bE4jbJfaaTwqw6Di82/bHCwN3q96HZ+qm8YCta+E1r6C10vxFep98YvsfczavlGniWTWIb15v+ZXCuRYKMQl|tkp:Bk9SR9qnpvXYYw

Why are older ones more expensive? are they worth more buying?

I like the 50s a little better - this one has very balanced and strong sections. Worth $100? To me... maybe. To you? Don't know. That's why we have to roll them all.

There is also this one

https://www.ebay.com/itm/313385250489?itmmeta=01HV3NF9AC8EDA3GDBG4CTPNRC&hash=item48f7376eb9:g:FjsAAOSwr~9cQMcF&itmprp=enc:AQAJAAAAwPyn8XYsaqSn/eV9eYq8wPDBWsO4k5xgj0MAZ5qrwKYPsFDGIf8fni+ITB9LuSUeLebbsarNciX3EtY1hvlHoULnrZuIH0ecXV36bBSU5kWnLaqbuL8pIdhCQ6DzyD8lyNnR8RPzYodw6AQSqlkKScx2bS+iAAaPOOY4bMj1jNgAJXktwGjjEytHfWnWw/tFVS+07s1bpvzmIZSIN31pLaYwunl1ruHI7I2098CLiQSkZ3/RIY/7REUMYmqaVDmOfg==|tkp:Bk9SR6aVvfXYYw

I like the TS 2C51 very much. Good value option. Better than a good 396A? Not to me in terms of details and openness, but still an enjoyable listen.

 

[HWB3]

The one from 1966 looks like the one that I bought and from the same vendor. Price went up $10 since I got it but if it's in your budget, I would say consider it.

 

[username643827]

I also found these based on what people where saying here

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2557969839...ysYPPkf3/1Al9zQ4k4IH/1MfOA|tkp:Bk9SR9qnpvXYYw

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2962848807...zoyOynaRXxBRYgi4rcL0Anjg==|tkp:Bk9SR8Kv6fXYYw

https://www.ebay.com/itm/274836712584

 

[username643827]

The one from 1966 looks like the one that I bought and from the same vendor. Price went up $10 since I got it but if it's in your budget, I would say consider it.

The Vali 3 on the EU schiit site costs 230 euros and the 1966 tube costs 140 with shipping and VAT. this is why i don't really like buying from the US everything is so much more expensive to ship to me. ):

 

[username643827]

The vali 3 on the schiit site costs 160$ + shipping 50$, and that doesn't cover VAT or customs fees ):

 

[HWB3]

I also found these based on what people where saying here

https://www.ebay.com/itm/255796983946?itmmeta=01HV3N9JF7KBTNQWKA80G6REGS&hash=item3b8eb0388a:g:v2wAAOSwbVFi~yGr&itmprp=enc:AQAJAAAA4Ces1WUodbmcIEaXymjXfwsv65fwY/R1WndQBSj9kU2C7Bc/4DCe5TvZZY3+KvzfzuSGaYmEL1+GnPoorlOCdmuk1Bc/4IgPjRskS+zozQNT1oxj+xHqEwUsgqoaS26LVDiw3lJzZvRG6xkok6PFqaAoQeTS+32cc5tSPLzs1geS3do3ruq4ME7M6b5Zru7JIO4B0fOS33Ix+UzmlGlWc7jPQGVKgfgE+bf46p0Ozile8PoqdnMceJ671lqJ6I9VIA26iUvo7u90/oe+AcysYPPkf3/1Al9zQ4k4IH/1MfOA|tkp:Bk9SR9qnpvXYYw

https://www.ebay.com/itm/296284880706?itmmeta=01HV3NTAYWC1HZ9H2QCTDQMTF5&hash=item44fbf47f42:g:9IcAAOSwqDhl7z88&itmprp=enc:AQAJAAAA8BPDl75sbh2vxqNvZ2i1sR6rBiv7+2vMfupqdGjwvjIh8cY99ew+8RM3I6pqcs9oy2TDPjH/8F7siyDZ0CC5BoLI7wGa67pnj7a3ewzeIEwjqUIdv3qpWzLWgBZMdbL50TdPjcmdUXShctPFlWRnKhqvKxjLQKJO4PGc9DzksLVVR3ByraM4codpUzCJhYpc2qo4VqSsHezHaTY3m0YBQ2NtZ+YElUKT+6qLc60Fu+n7v2KeYXl056hzXMxc8dleIkcCuV7Xqciq3j3umy5CS5cPKFJWCoRydks3ZT0p8izoyOynaRXxBRYgi4rcL0Anjg==|tkp:Bk9SR8Kv6fXYYw

https://www.ebay.com/itm/274836712584

The GE 5 Star is my favorite tube after the WE 396A. I'll pass along info that was given to me because I'm new to tubes also. Buy from a trusted vendor. Look for a good testing tube. The transconductance value is the measurement between the left and right triode. That determines the left and right channel output. A well-balanced tube is 10% or less between the triodes. Then it comes down to how it was measured. Tube testers can be old and out of spec. A piece of sage advice was, don't worry about the measurements if it sounds good. Now go find something in your budget.

 

[username643827]

The GE 5 Star is my favorite tube after the WE 396A. I'll pass along info that was given to me because I'm new to tubes also. Buy from a trusted vendor. Look for a good testing tube. The transconductance value is the measurement between the left and right triode. That determines the left and right channel output. A well-balanced tube is 10% or less between the triodes. Then it comes down to how it was measured. Tube testers can be old and out of spec. A piece of sage advice was, don't worry about the measurements if it sounds good. Now go find something in your budget.

thanks for the info! I'll defenitly will find something that fits my needs.

 

[rocketron]

[Posted in the 'Schiit Happened' thread]

Very well said sir