BAT VK-xx owners: Where do you buy 6c33b tubes?

I bought 8 6C33C-B from Anthony Welsh for about $100 including shipping to U.S. The tubes were shipped from Russia and took a few weeks to arrive.

Here is the web site.

http://www.anthonywelsh.com/?action=browse_items&sid=16

That's a great price, but I would be a little careful. I have Lamm ML-1s which use those tubes, and recently have had problems with one of the amps which required the replacement of the tubes. One of the replacement tubes blew within a week. Apparently Lamm, which insists on replacing the tubes themselves, is experiencing a very high failure rate (almost 50%) on the current crop of these tubes coming out of Russia. Lamm and BAT are pretty good about testing their tubes; perhaps Mr. Welsh or the ASL importer is as well, you might inquire with them about that. I'm told that Lamm is burning the tubes in for much longer periods now, because the defective tubes aren't blowing right away, it seems to take some time.

RCprince: Yes, I have heard that these tubes can do funny things. Everyone I have spoken to in the last couple of days reports a lot of arcing, "coughing, and spitting" as they are about to blow. That is what's been happening to one of mine lately.

I reckon that's the problem when there's only one source. You're going to get what you're going to get.

I also purchased these tubes from Anthony Welsh, actually about 16 of them, as replacements for my Joule amps. No problems receiving the tubes but have yet to try any. I have also heard these have a high failure rate. I have no way to test these yet but I am looking.

Try conusaudio.com
Great service and good price.

Regards,

I bought 5 of these from ATSI - Advantage Tube Services. www.tubeman.com. He claims he can match these. Not sure if it's needed, but I paid a few extra bucks for it anyway.

About $30 each. But they work, no issues, have been running them for 4-5 months. Also has a 90 day warranty if it fails...

I would also suggest Kevin Deal at Upscale Audio. (www.upscaleaudio.com) He tests and matches the tubes and stands behind them. He may be more expensive than some others, but he sells quality tubes. I doubt that you would have any issues (other than price) with any tubes you buy from him.

I think you meant 6C33C-B tubes?

Anyways, this is pretty timely as I just ordered a dozen tubes for my Joule amps from John Harper here:

http://www.john-a-harper.com/valves/6c33c-for-sale.html

He's in California.

Thanks for your responses, all. I decided to go with Thetubestore.com, simply because I buy a lot of stuff for my guitar amps from them, and I've had the best of luck. Seems like the going retail for these is about $30 a pop (no pun intended). Anyway, my popping, coughing, and farting is cured--in the ASL Fox. Me, that's another story . . .