got duped by a Great White North PFB . . . My Bad, too

GlennDog

Kev, no offense intended . . but the title above is a little "catchy" aint it?

the ad implies "matched" tubes . . .
but seller thinks matched means same make, model , yr NOT electrically matched

Seller is relying on the tests that were done in 1944 !!!!!!!!!
IDIOT . . . I am livid

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/tubes-nos-rare-ken-rad-jan-ckr-6sn7gt-vt-231-1944-brand-new-tubes-matched-pair-2016-06-14-accessories-j2a1e4/order

WagnerRC

Access denied

Toolfan66

WagnerRC wrote: »

Access denied

Ditto..

F1nut

Titto..

polkfarmboy

Love the title! Lol

I would like to know more info about the seller feedback, price you paid and details about the add.

GlennDog

dromunds

Guess his feedback won't be 100% anymore

GlennDog

I won't roll these tubes until I've had them checked out
After 70 years it would be a miracle that one of them is still strong let alone both of them being decent
Matched ?? ... that'd be miracle number two

txcoastal1

The real hypocrisy here is his name

heiney9

GlennDog wrote: »

I won't roll these tubes until I've had them checked out
After 70 years it would be a miracle that one of them is still strong let alone both of them being decent
Matched ?? ... that'd be miracle number two

You might be surprised. But, you are absolutely correct about the ad being very misleading. I'd have them checked too.

The older tubes (especially if unused) are amazingly good since the tolerances and craftsmanship are superb. But those have been "knocking" around for 70 years so it is possible one could be a dud.

I am still amazed at those little glass bottles, still chugging away 50,60,70 years later. I imagine where they've been, whose radio or amplifier they were in and what the world was like then........and what sort of joy or pain that was present when the components played. Duke Ellington or JFK being shot, or the military gear used out in the field. Those types of events and people in history that were most likely delivered on a device that had these tubes in it.

H9

heiney9

You bought based on them being matched so you should get what you pay for. But, in my experience input tubes can vary up to 20% with very little to no perceptible sound difference. The circuit usually compensates to a degree so having perfectly matched input tubes isn't absolutely necessary to get optimum performance. It's obviously a plus and I'm sure there is an occasional "critical" circuit that benefits more if tubes are matched.

Your typical pre-amp input stage can withstand up to a 20% mismatch and still sound great. So paying up and hunting for perfectly matched tubes isn't always my TOP priority especially for rare and/or outrageously priced tubes because they are 1% matched.

That's just my little .02c and I'm sure some might not agree. I always go for well matched tubes if possible, but it's not something that is a deal breaker for me.

H9

GlennDog

I've got to locate a local tube aficionado who has the proper test equipment

I'll post when they're tested. I'm keeping my fingers (and toes) crossed

mikeyb128

The oldest nos tubes I have are 64 years old. Tested as nos and work fine. Forgive my ignorance, I'm failing to see the problem here, he has claimed to have tested these with his personal tester. So I'm guessing he didn't match them electrically and as tightly as you would have liked? I'm going to agree with H9, you won't hear anything within 20% on signal tubes, and being nos they are most likely really close. Tubes are so interesting, packed up stashed away in original boxes for all these years, it's like traveling back in time, and I love it! I now have hundreds and have yet to come across any dead ones, maybe some a little more microphonic than I would like, but is just the nature of that tube.

Have you tried to work anything out with the seller? At least they showed up in good condition, not smashed to bits

GlennDog

packed up stashed away in original boxes for all these years . . . I agree with you 2

However, these arrived sealed with tape from a long long time ago. I am assuming since 1944. It looks that old. I'll post a pic

Seller never tested them. He assumed they were good cause they were never opened

GlennDog

mikeyb128

Ah I see, that's sucks. Tube sellers can be shady, you really have to watch out. I'm betting your tubes will be ok, I bought a sleeve of untested 1964 GE 5 stars for cheap, tested them on my buddies tester and tested nos. threw them in and they worked fine.

GlennDog

Did I mention, one of the tubes is loose, rattling around inside the box?

The more I think about it, the more livid I become

F1nut

Tubes do not go bad sitting around doing nothing. However, claiming they are tested/matched is a serious misrepresentation.

Did I mention, one of the tubes is loose, rattling around inside the box?

Yeah that happens, but it's no big deal.

mikeyb128

A while back set a tube on top of one of my towers, it fell off onto laminate flooring over cement in my basement. It didn't mind it at all, and worked fine! Those buggars are robust.

GlennDog

mikeyb128 wrote: »

Those buggars are robust.

I hope that holds true in my case!

I got a line on a guy with a tester. I'll post after testing 'em

heiney9

On these old tubes with micanol/polycarbonite type bases be sure and always insert and remove while grasping the base (if you can). Inserting and removing by grasping the glass can cause the super old glue they use to come loose. There is a type of glue you can use, running a thin bead between the glass and base to be 100% sure.

I can't remember the exact type of glue, but if you Google it I'm sure it's easy to find. A loose base isn't always a problem, but in some more extreme cases it can cause the lack of a vacuum so I always grab the base, not the glass.

Just my .02c

H9

Dennis Gardner

You only have 7 days for return, so get it done.....

GlennDog

Well well well, things are looking up .... better than expected

The shop had a Sencore TC142 Mighty Mite V tester
The tech on duty was no audiophile but he claims the tubes are fairly strong
one at about 79% and the other one at 82%

It was a very quickie test (like 90 seconds each tube) with no microphonics but he tested for emissions, grid, leak and shorts

That's better than no information at all. I'll roll them in tonight or tomorrow and see what magic may happen!