I tried a different way of restricting tube purchases - not more than $8 each, including shipping. I have also developed an allergy to adapters and I am trying to avoid buying more.
So far I am fairly successful (with exceptions) - I even pass on some good buys because I know I am not going to use the tubes even if they are good tubes. Another problem is that some tubes from Europe are shipped via eBay Global Shipping instead of regular international post. The shipping can cost much more than double the cost of the tubes.
I tried a different way of restricting tube purchases - not more than $8 each, including shipping. I have also developed an allergy to adapters and I am trying to avoid buying more.
So far I am fairly successful (with exceptions) - I even pass on some good buys because I know I am not going to use the tubes even if they are good tubes. Another problem is that some tubes from Europe are shipped via eBay Global Shipping instead of regular international post. The shipping can cost much more than double the cost of the tubes.
I tried a different way of restricting tube purchases - not more than $8 each, including shipping. I have also developed an allergy to adapters and I am trying to avoid buying more.
So far I am fairly successful (with exceptions) - I even pass on some good buys because I know I am not going to use the tubes even if they are good tubes. Another problem is that some tubes from Europe are shipped via eBay Global Shipping instead of regular international post. The shipping can cost much more than double the cost of the tubes.
Just gotta learn to build the adapters yourself, it's not too complicated at all. Guess it takes time though, so there's that, and I guess the will to do it. Can get a bit finicky at times I suppose, but definitely worth it!
Think you saw one on the Eufonika board I just finished for one of my friends.
Not from him but we chatted a bit about the Balancing Act. I ended up getting different tubes from him, Kron PX4. Really friendly and knowledgeable master...
Not from him but we chatted a bit about the Balancing Act. I ended up getting different tubes from him, Kron PX4. Really friendly and knowledgeable master...
Totally agree. He's friendly and knows his stuff. He was fond of the Balancing Act and he was the first to receive the Glenn Super 9 OTL amp. Glenn delivered it himself personally.
Me neither. I had one tube that arrived dead and another one where the interior turned white the first time I plugged it in (not sure what that means, but I gather it's not a good thing), but no tubes have failed during use.
I got Freya + recently and that has given me chance to try out some 6SN7 tubes. Have got Ken Rad VT231 and Sylvania 6SN7GT. Both are with staggered plate to start with. I do like rich and warm sound so suggestions are welcome.
My amp does accept 6SN7 but it is ideally made of 6SL7.
Me neither. I had one tube that arrived dead and another one where the interior turned white the first time I plugged it in (not sure what that means, but I gather it's not a good thing), but no tubes have failed during use.
When a tube turns white it means that it lost it’s vacuum and the silvery getter flash reacts with the air and turns white.
The tube has developed a crack in the glass envelope and becomes useless.
In my experience the cause for most tubes that stop functioning is being dropped and breaking .
There are reports of people using the same tubes for over 20 years.
Most tubes are rated for 3000-5000 hours, and some for 7500-10000 hours.
However, many of these ratings refer to military use under harsh conditions; usually the tube amps we use put much less stress on the tubes.
Beware of unscrupulous dealers that claim that you must change the tubes after 1000 hours!
It is also important to know that tube measurements aren’t as crucial as some people may want you to think - you may not be able to hear any difference between a tube measuring NOS and one measuring barely good!
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