TUBES SITES faq - add your fav's here
Mar 21, 2003 at 2:37 AM Post #31 of 96
I just purchased a MG head OTL and my head is spinning, can you guys recommend some good quality tubes? I currently have some EL84's, original output tube, Sylvania Black Plate Triple Mica 5751 and Raytheon Windmill Getter. Wondering what else i should look for out there, thanks!
 
Apr 6, 2003 at 5:17 AM Post #33 of 96
Quote:

Originally posted by gloco
I just purchased a MG head OTL and my head is spinning, can you guys recommend some good quality tubes? I currently have some EL84's, original output tube, Sylvania Black Plate Triple Mica 5751 and Raytheon Windmill Getter. Wondering what else i should look for out there, thanks!


There is not much you can get from this point up, you can get a pair of JJ or Ei gold pins EL84 (or even better ones) but IMO those will not make such a great difference, if you are still looking for something better, after those 5751 you got, better begin to think on an upgrade on the amp, to a better and more expensive unit.....RKV, TwinHead, Melos, etc...
 
Apr 6, 2003 at 6:47 AM Post #34 of 96
For me, my source was Nick Dangerous. I paid good dollars for his cache but soon bought other gear which I purposely found used 5751s as upgrades. So, although I originally thought I might continue the 5751 tryout, I only have two tubes unused, the lesser, to do it with... just in case you guys wondered........

BTW, Cal Audio dacs and other CD back ends sound wonderfiul with 5781s as well as headhone amps...
 
Apr 8, 2003 at 12:45 PM Post #35 of 96
Quote:

Originally posted by Sovkiller
There is not much you can get from this point up, you can get a pair of JJ or Ei gold pins EL84 (or even better ones) but IMO those will not make such a great difference, if you are still looking for something better, after those 5751 you got, better begin to think on an upgrade on the amp, to a better and more expensive unit.....RKV, TwinHead, Melos, etc...


hmm, good point. I also got my hands on some Mullards and quite a selection from a headfier...think i have like 20 tubes!
eek.gif


Time for some tube rolling
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Jun 1, 2003 at 5:58 PM Post #36 of 96
I recommend JJ's on the output tubes, too. I don't have the Head MG (yet...) but my Jolida 102b runs EL84's, too. Sovteks are fine if you like mellow. The JJ's are brighter, with better highs.

BTW, now that you have the tube bug, I highly recommend Jolida as a great make for a wonderful integrated (speaker) amp. Best of all, it is only $580.

With that, my favorite tube link:

www.jolida.com
 
Jun 15, 2003 at 9:41 PM Post #37 of 96
Quote:

Originally posted by grahamndodder
With that, my favorite tube link:

www.jolida.com


hehe, one day soon when i can afford a big rig!

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Dec 19, 2003 at 9:56 AM Post #39 of 96
after looking at all the links i noticed that audio nova's site is not listed. this is a Links page to lots of tube data. Found it helpfull while researching parts for a tube head amp. http://audionova.nu/Innehall/tubesite_misc.htm

Steves tube pages has some nice tube projects. This guy is into Old School low cost and strange tube designs. One that brougnt back memories for me is his Push Pull 50C5 based design that uses a power transformer as the output transformer. The 50C5 was intended for use in SE Table radio output stages. These radios operated off the AC mains and thus wer call AC/DC Radios. Steves main page is http://members.aol.com/sbench101/ he also has lots of other tube info like a cascode gain stage calculator in MS excell.
 
Jul 24, 2004 at 6:24 PM Post #42 of 96
As some of you might have noted, based on my recent posts, I've been looking for some high quality tubes for my upcoming Moth headamp. Well, I've spent MANY hours wandering the net looking for good dealers and the tubes I want. I came across the Vintage Tube Services site, and picked up the phone and talked to Andy Bowman there. What a pleasure to deal with, and what an incredibly knowledgeable guy. I must have spent at least forty five minutes talking tubes with him, and learned more in that conversation than in all the researching previously. Andy has hooked me up for the tubes I want and I couldnt be more pleased.
He is a great guy, impeccably honest and truthful, and as noted, unbelievably knowledgeable. He was able to advise me on exactly what I needed, based on the sonic signatures of the various tubes in question and end all of my unknowns. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! And what a relief with so many marginal dealers out there trying to sell you things you have no idea about, in terms of accurate representations.
This company has been in business for fifteen years, and tubes are all he does.
Vintage Tube Services is located in Michigan, near the center of the Head-Fi universe. Take a look at their website, and the equipment used for testing, they may be in a class by themselves in that regard alone.

http://www.vintagetubeservices.com/

oh, and dont be too concerned by the 2001 date on the listing, Andy's take on that was that its just too hard to keep a running inventory of all the tubes he has, has just bought, or sold.


JC
 
Aug 29, 2004 at 1:25 AM Post #44 of 96
I've bought a few different times from these guys and they are great to deal with. Quick response to email and quick delivery.
http://www.radiotubesupply.com Home of "Dr. Roy"

A good place to go for exotic Triode tubes and amps (2A3's, 300b's, etc. - One tube I saw there is a mamoth 13" x 3" dia.)...
http://www.aydn.com AYDN Vacuum Tube Audio

-----------------

If your looking for someone to repair your tube gear, check out NOS Valves, near Flint, Michigan. Craig is a straight-forward guy who loves to talk audio and doesn't charge an arm and a leg for his work...
http://www.nosvalves.com/
 
Nov 18, 2004 at 4:17 AM Post #45 of 96
great list and additions! thank you for putting this together.

a couple places I've found:

www.audiocircle.com great place like Head-Fi for discussion and buying along with advice and meets, etc. also www.responseaudio.com - Bill Baker is one of the most knowledgeable audio people I know. Bill also is devoted to tubes and other equipment that goes along with using tubed amps, etc. He also has used equipment and he rebuilds/modifies tubed amps like Jolida, Ming Da, Antique Sound Labs and others. Great prices, wonderfully helpful and knowledgeable and 1 Hell of a Nice Guy!

two more great places for tweaks: www.pandathumbaudio.com, Gary is an engineer and has probably the best isolation footers I've come across Bill at Response Audio has a great review that you have to read, incredibly fantastic sorbothane footers that Work!!!!! And inexpensive too. Steve's site is another great place to go, great products, really nice man and great guarantee trial period: http://herbiesaudiolab.home.att.net.

one last one, that just jumped into my head I didn't notice it in your lists or the additions from others: http://www.meta-gizmo.com/intro/tdj.html. Gizmo is a legend and a fantastic place to browse for tube sound and beautiful babes!

thanks again for your outstanding lists..

marty
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