Where/who do you trust when buying tubes?

muncybob
muncybob Posts: 3,042
in 2 Channel Audio
To this point I've bought a few tubes from fellow Polkies and have no problem with that, but I'm looking for a source or two that I can turn to when there are no tubes for sale here.

Where do you turn to if you're wanting to replace tubes or just try something different?
Yep, my name really is Bob.
Parasound HCA1500A(indoor sound) and HCA1000(outdoor sound), Dynaco PAS4, Denon DP1200 w/Shure V15 Type V and Jico SAS stylus, Marantz UD7007, Polk L600, Rythmik L12 sub.
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,441
    edited October 2017
    EBay and Brent Jesse. One eBay seller i have had great luck with is Presence.
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  • Jim Shearer
    Jim Shearer Posts: 369
    most trusted source I know is Jim McShane:
    http://www.mcshanedesign.net/


    A day without music is like a day without food.
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  • MrBuhl
    MrBuhl Posts: 2,419
    +1 for Brent Jesse
    VA HT HK AVR20II, Sony S9000ES CD/DVD/SACD, Polk Audio RC80i / Polk Audio CSi3, 60" Panasonic Plasma, Nordost / Signal Cable A2 / Wireworld / Pangea / Magic Power
    VA 2 Channel Focal Electra 926 speakers, Pass Labs X150.5 Amp, Eastern Electric MiniMax Preamp (Tutay mods), Eastern Electric Minimax CDP (Scott Nixon mods), Music Hall mmf 5.1 Turntable, Parks Audio Budgie Phono Pre , Audioengine B1 streamer, MIT S3 IC's / MIT Shotgun S3 Speaker Cables / PS Audio power cables
    Noggin Schiit Valhalla, Pangea, Phillips Fidelio X1, Polk UF8000

    Polk SDA1c modded
    Polk CRS+ 4.1TL modded (need veneer)
    Polk SDA2BTL (fully modded)
    A/L 1000VA Dreadnought Canare 4s11 SDA cable
    SACD Marantz DV8300
    Sony S9000ES CD/DVD/SACD
    Yamaha YP-D6
    Soundcraftsmen PCR800
    Audible Illusions L1 Preamp
    Vincent MFA based Cocci Tube Preamp
    Pho-700 Phono Pre
    Signal Cable Silver Resolution IC's






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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,441
    Somewhere on here is a sticky that Tom (treitz) put together of all the tube sellers. Some links may not work anymore but it is extensive.
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  • trav0810
    trav0810 Posts: 1,056
    I'm a big fan of Brent Jesse and his site.
    The difference between genius and stupidity is; genius has its limits.” -Albert Einstein

    Sony Playstation 3 for CD and Streaming
    Thorens TD320
    Modified Carver C-1
    Carver TFM 42 and 45 Amplifiers
    Polk RTA15TL Speakers w/Decato mods
    White Lightning Moonshine DIY Speaker Cables and Interconnects
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  • muncybob
    muncybob Posts: 3,042
    pitdogg2 wrote: »
    Somewhere on here is a sticky that Tom (treitz) put together of all the tube sellers. Some links may not work anymore but it is extensive.

    I recall that but can't seem to find it.........
    Yep, my name really is Bob.
    Parasound HCA1500A(indoor sound) and HCA1000(outdoor sound), Dynaco PAS4, Denon DP1200 w/Shure V15 Type V and Jico SAS stylus, Marantz UD7007, Polk L600, Rythmik L12 sub.
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  • agfrost
    agfrost Posts: 2,428
    Looks like Tom's tube post was on whatsbest:

    http://www.whatsbestforum.com/showthread.php?5438-Tube-Supplier-and-cross-reference-thread
    Jay
    SDA 2BTL * Musical Fidelity A5cr amp * Oppo BDP-93 * Modded Adcom GDA-600 DAC * Rythmik F8 (x2)
    Micro Seiki DQ-50 * Hagerman Cornet 2 Phono * A hodgepodge of cabling * Belkin PF60
    Preamp rotation: Krell KSL (SCompRacer recapped) * Manley Shrimp * PS Audio 5.0
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  • GlennDog
    GlennDog Posts: 3,120
    Andy at Vintage Tube Services.
    Call his land line, he's old school and helpful (616) 454-3467

    http://vintagetubeservices.com

    and

    Brock turned (some of us) on to . . .

    http://www.nostubestore.com
    AC Regenerator PS Audio PerfectWave Power Plant 10
    Source Lumin U1 Mini into Lampizator Baltic 4 DAC
    Pre Cary SLP-05
    Power Rogue M180 Dark monos
    Mains Salk HT2-TL
    Rythmik F12
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  • muncybob
    muncybob Posts: 3,042
    This is great info...mucho appreciate!

    A question though. I notice that when I power on my pre in the first few seconds after I hear a crackling sound. This happens even with the volume down to zero. I also notice that no matter what source on the pre is selected, if I rotate the volume back & forth at the 12 o'clock position I can hear a faint crackle there too.

    I presume the volume knob crackle is something in that itself and really not a big deal since at that level you would never hear it anyways with a source playing. The initial power on crackle has me concerned.
    Yep, my name really is Bob.
    Parasound HCA1500A(indoor sound) and HCA1000(outdoor sound), Dynaco PAS4, Denon DP1200 w/Shure V15 Type V and Jico SAS stylus, Marantz UD7007, Polk L600, Rythmik L12 sub.
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  • Viking64
    Viking64 Posts: 7,064
    Who do you trust when tying tubes?
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  • kharp1
    kharp1 Posts: 3,453
    Viking64 wrote: »
    Who do you trust when tying tubes?

    My dentist tied mine.
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  • soundfreak1
    soundfreak1 Posts: 3,414
    Another vote for Brent Jesse. Have bought from and sold to him. A good experience both ways.
    Main Rig:
    Krell KAV 250a biamped to mid/highs
    Parasound HCA1500A biamped to lows
    Nakamichi EC100 Active xover
    MIT exp 1 ic's
    Perreaux SA33 class A preamp
    AQ kingcobra ic's
    OPPO 83 CDP
    Lehmann audio black cube SE phono pre, Audioquest phono wire (ITA1/1)
    Denon DP-1200 TT. AToc9ML MC cart.
    Monster HTS 3600 power conditioner
    ADS L1590/2 Biamped
    MIT exps2 speaker cable
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,497
    edited October 2017
    Another vote for Brent Jesse. I have purchased tubes and a tube tester from him.
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,962
    MrBuhl wrote: »
    +1 for Brent Jesse

    This guy....he may not be the absolute cheapest, but he has quality and stands behind it. Plus he's local to me, real local. If you don't see what your looking for on his list of tubes, shoot him an email and ask him directly. Not everything makes the list in a timely fashion but the man knows what he has.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,441
    tonyb wrote: »
    MrBuhl wrote: »
    +1 for Brent Jesse

    This guy....he may not be the absolute cheapest, but he has quality and stands behind it. Plus he's local to me, real local. If you don't see what your looking for on his list of tubes, shoot him an email and ask him directly. Not everything makes the list in a timely fashion but the man knows what he has.

    Very true Tony. I once emailed him about a substitute for 6SN7 tube i could run in my tube buffer. He came back with a pair of 1940's 6BL7 triple mica. I've searched long and hard I have not found another like it in plate structure. Best money I ever spent cost me 40$ which I considered a steal
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,802
    Yes, he's good and he really (really) knows his stuff. His website is a primary resource for intelligence on vacuum tubes for audio applications.

    As an aside, there's also some good tube lore (and some that's just bizarre) available at www.audioasylum.com FAQs. :)
    https://www.audioasylum.com/cgi/d.mpl?audio/faq.html#tubes

    "Joe's Tube Lore" is like "The Book of Mormon" of vacuum tube literature ;)

    (with no offense meant to LDS church members!)
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