valves

[fisher X 100 A]

I am trying to source some more ecc83 tubes............

Thou being on a limited budget am finding all the choices are mind boggling...

I am hoping that a Audioenz member maybe able to post a list of valve breads in descending order of valve performance or quality?


cheers

[omegaspeedy]

Hi fisher X 100 A, sorry I can't help with a list but the NZ dollar is so good it would be hard to resist buying off the leading valve sellers overseas.

I've bought off these guys before and they were well priced and great service.

http://thetubestore.com/12ax70ectyp.html

With exception of Owen Y, I haven't had much joy finding good sellers in NZ. Owen was very kind in selling me a few of his personal stock.

[neil]

Geoff Edwards in Lyttleton is the first place I go to for tubes. He has extensive stocks and his prices are way cheaper than what you'd be charged overseas. His company is called Valve Radio Spares. Support local first!!

[omegaspeedy]

Geoff Edwards in Lyttleton is the first place I go to for tubes. He has extensive stocks and his prices are way cheaper than what you'd be charged overseas. His company is called Valve Radio Spares. Support local first!!

That's if he'll reply to your e-mails...I thought he was a bit expensive myself otherwise I would have recommended him. Anyway just my personal experience with that seller.

Totally agree with support local though and that's why I send all my work mates to TOA. I gave a crew member a TOA business card last night. He is building a new house and wants some gear and install:)

[Owen Young]

Aside from Geoff, other local audio valve dealers that come to mind are:

34 Audio (Clarry Schollum), Ph 817 2634 - valves & servicing.

Vintage Audio Valves (http://vintageaudiovalves.com) - NOS vintage stock

Freedom Music (http://www.freedommusic.co.nz/Capacitors.html) - JJ brand

South Pacific Music Distributors (http://www.papeeteonline.com/SPM/) - Svetlana, Sovtek, Electro Harmonix, etc

[fisher X 100 A]

thanks - but how about that list - like bugel boy, telefuken , jj, etc.......which order of quality for sound do you place them in?

[Owen Young]

Almost impossible Q to answer I'm afraid, depends on too many things, including your ears!

[johnnyC]

thanks - but how about that list - like bugel boy, telefuken , jj, etc.......which order of quality for sound do you place them in?

You really have to use your ears for this and try them in your set up. I've tried a range of makes and decide by listening. I checked online forums for user recommendations of valves for specific equipment, got them in and tried them out. I still swap about from time to time with the "spares" that I have. Great fun.

This probably doesn't help you, but by saying Telefunken or whatever brand is "better", is not helpful as it is really down to the synergy with the equipment you use to find the best match.

As you can see from my set up, I use three different brands of valve, which sound the best in my system to my ears.

[Harvey]

My recent dealings with Geoff have been positive with friendly/prompt replies, no complaints about his prices either.

I would suggest you e-mail him with your requirements and budget to find out what he can offer, research the options and dive in.

tubehead@xtra.co.nz

[KevinO]

There's an extensive body of work around ( Joe's Tube Lore) whixch has covered most of the answers you seek. Not every one agrees with what he says but as Owen pointed out , those squishy things on the side of your melon are critical here. I'll dig it out and PM you if you want.

[fisher X 100 A]

There's an extensive body of work around ( Joe's Tube Lore) whixch has covered most of the answers you seek. Not every one agrees with what he says but as Owen pointed out , those squishy things on the side of your melon are critical here. I'll dig it out and PM you if you want.

that will be great.........just like hearing - reading before you part with money is always the best bet also!

[JamesB]

I built up a big collection of ECC83 for my old tubed CD player. The ones I like for price/performance ratio are:

Tesla E83CC w/ yellow lettering frame grid ~1970s (http://www.tubemongerlib.com/gallery2/v/12AX7/Tesla+E83CC+NOS+NIB+July-1971+Frame+Grid+Gold+Pin+Roznov+Zavod+Vrchlabi+-+Czechoslovakia.jpg.html)
Tesla E83CC w/ white lettering frame grid ~1980s (http://www.tubemongerlib.com/gallery2/v/12AX7/Tesla+E83CC+1982+Frame+Grid+Military+Cross+Swords+ Roznov+Zavod+Vrchlabi+2++-+Czechoslovakia.jpg.html)

My experience is that pretty much anything people rave about is at least good, however most of the famous tubes (eg Telefunken ECC803s, Mullard 10M) also have famous prices! I've played below that price point and those Tesla's sound good to me.

Other 12AX7 tubes I like are old (~1960s) RCA black plates with D getters and 1959 Amperex Bugle boys with D getters, but while these are all good, I ended up preferring the Teslas in my DAC.

Different tubes have a different sound, and unfortunately you have to listen to be able to make a decision. If you want to take a punt then there is good choice at www.tubemonger.com (http://www.tubemonger.com/12AX7_ECC83_ECC803S_E83CC_7025_CV4004_CV492_CV4035 _M8137_s/6.htm)

[kaka]

I've had great service from Geoff, and a very quick response from Vintage Audio Valves too (that link is 8 posts back). All power to the locals

I experimented with ribbed telkefunkens, smooth plate telefunkens and Phillips miniwatts in my Eddie Current amp, all via Geoff.

[jasper]

Have to agree with Kaka and others. Geoff Edwards is great to deal with. He is also scrupulously honest and his prices are what they are worth. No snake oil here!

[beeman]

I have a few lying around too if you want to PM me - cheers

[soundnut]

I have a few lying around too if you want to PM me - cheers

any 2A3B's?

[omegaspeedy]

Originally Posted by neil
Geoff Edwards in Lyttleton is the first place I go to for tubes. He has extensive stocks and his prices are way cheaper than what you'd be charged overseas. His company is called Valve Radio Spares. Support local first!!



That's if he'll reply to your e-mails...I thought he was a bit expensive myself otherwise I would have recommended him. Anyway just my personal experience with that seller.

I would like to retract my comment about Geoff not replying to e-mails. I have spoken with him and he did reply but it didn't arrive at my inbox (a break down in modern technology), so it was all a misunderstanding. My first dealing with Geoff was a positive experience and the original statement above is incorrect. I'd happily deal with him again. Sorry Geoff for the misunderstanding.

Regards James.

[jasper]

Yeah I thought that was a very strange experience to have if dealing with Geoff. Just not his style to ignore you!
What is his style? Maybe '50's Steampunk!

[Newbie]

Of the three times I've had dealings with Geoff he has always been excellent (good fast service, excellent product).

When he hasn't been able to supply me with the obscure tubes I've wanted he's done the utmost to help me out, and offered very sage advice.