The Reference Pentode and Beam Tetrode Thread EL34, KT66, KT77, KT88, EL11, EL12, EL3N, EL35, EL37, 6550, 6L6, EL51, EL39, 4654, 4699, KT63, KT61, 6V6, etc

[Zachik]

@leftside you always seems to have the best looking tubes!

 

[mordy]

Look like military boxes. Very nice. 1969.

That could explain it - thanks.

 

[triod750]

@leftside you always seems to have the best looking tubes!

Maybe he goes for them and pays for them? That could be his secret method. And then he uses them for eye candy... I guess he has no Picasso on the wall.

 

[Zachik]

I guess he has no Picasso on the wall.

I will let you in on a secret... I do not have a Picasso on my wall, either...

 

[triod750]

You can't fool me. No way!

 

[Zachik]

You can't fool me. No way!

I could afford these... https://www.etsy.com/listing/944010356/wall-pictures-of-picasso-and-matisse

 

[triod750]

I could afford these... https://www.etsy.com/listing/944010356/wall-pictures-of-picasso-and-matisse

Go for them!! Nobody will notice the difference...

 

[mordy]

Go for them!! Nobody will notice the difference...

I prefer to look at a pair of Marconi tubes...

 

[Galapac]

I never understood buying tubes and not using them. To each their own I guess.
I try to use the tubes I have and find magic combinations but many I need to sell, I’m just too lazy right now.
I’ll get around to it someday I hope.

 

[leftside]

@leftside you always seems to have the best looking tubes!

Collecting the GEC/Marconi/Osram/MWT for my amps has been quite the adventure and an amazing history lesson. Happy to share the knowledge and pictures with the good folks on here.

 

[leftside]

I never understood buying tubes and not using them. To each their own I guess.
I try to use the tubes I have and find magic combinations but many I need to sell, I’m just too lazy right now.
I’ll get around to it someday I hope.

I do both. There are two sides to tubes for me. One is obviously the audio side, and I’ve used about 90% of my tubes and would have no problem continuing using them.

But, for the other 10% there is a historical aspect to them, and as they are in such nice condition I believe they should be preserved. Hopefully a museum will want them when I’m gone, or perhaps a younger collector will take them off my hands in my later years.

 

[DeweyCH]

Got these set up in my Mogwai today - Tung-Sol 6AR6:

Sound absolutely fantastic in place of the TS 6L6 pair I was running, and crazy cheap at $60 for a NOS pair.

 

[bcowen]

Makes sense - do you have a good source for boxes? (Many of the old original boxes just fall apart from age.)

I've bought quite a few from the two vendors @Zachik and @Wes S mentioned. I've purchased from Chinese sellers on Ebay a few times as well.

 

[bcowen]

Bill, why do you hate Foton tubes?!

Those are actually all filled with GE's. But labeling them as such would easily destroy the reputation I've worked so hard to create.

 

[Galapac]

I do have to say these are beautiful tubes. Like classic 50’s cars IMO