Driver Tubes 6922

I just ordered 2 RCA Blackplate 1950's AT7's for the pre.

If it goes well, I will find some AX7's, and so forth.

Thanks guys,

TD

@tomcy6 

They are not new.

Thanks for the correction.

Are there affordable nos input tubes or a stellar modern input tube you guys can recommend?

Thanks @tksteingraber

@tksteingraber 

what are your recommendations on 12AX7' s and 12AT7's ?

thanks

OK guys, Im going to give this NOS a try.

I what you opinion on where I should get the biggest impact to prove to myself one way or the other the value of NOS to me.

Options for first purchase are:

1- 12AT7's in Line Pre

2- 12Ax7's inputs for monoblocks

3- 6922's drivers for monoblocks

Thanks for your opinions.

And @tksteingraber , do you have any thoughts on Ken Rad?

@tksteingraber I ordered them from Brent Jessee

Well,

I received the tubes today. The difference is unbelievable. Why the Hell can't people make tubes like they used to?

But, as always there is a problem....one of the RCA AT7's is crapped out. Snapping, Crackling and Hissing. And this is quite disappointing.

I sent an email to Brent, hopefully he will get back to me soon.

Actually I will call him presently.

Will keep you updated.

TD

Yes @facten ,

I just heard that on his answering machine, :-)

I don't suppose the crackling is something that will just fix itself???

Like maybe burn off some space dust inside.

Such a shame. They sounded so good.

TD

What I think I have discovered in any event is that the pre seems to be the most important part since the pre w/ the GL's makes my system sound like it did yesterday.

Of course it could be that the Mullards I used as Amp Inputs were nothing special.

Maybe I should just stick to RCA for now, Huh? 

OK, so NOS doesn't mean new. Does anyone sell actual new old tubes or is this just the best I can hope for.....which is fine, I just want to know what Im getting into, you know?

@tksteingraber 

Yes, I am sure Bret will do me proper. I'm just venting on my disappointment.

So, does Bret actually sell "New", unused tubes, or are they all just used tubes pulled out of junked equipment?

If the latter is correct, does anyone sell actual "New" unused tubes on line?

T

@tomcy6 

I am calm, just surprised and disappointed. I am not freaking, but thank you for your talk down. I will email him and I am patient.

Thanks

T

@jtcf 

Thanks. The reason I think they are used is the fact that all the labels are worn off, at least one of the pins is bent and other visual signs.

Ok. I am learning alot this evening, 

Thanks

OK,

I have been in contact with Brent and I trust he is a professional. I tried the tap fix for flake and it did not change anything. I will try that one more time.

And my 6922's are GL's.

Next time Im at the cabin, Im going to visit this junk yard up there and look for tubes :-)

T

@vthokie83

I am ZERO concerned about the failed tube....ZERO. Not upset not agitated not irked. I am not in the slightest bit upset or concerned about the failed tube.

I am sure Brent will do the right thing. I’ve never doubted it. I am not concerned about it.

@tomcy6

Thanx for the info. Hopefully I wont get addicted to NOS, I just want two sets of AT7, AX7, 6922 and hopefully I’ll be set for life.

As to NEW, I am actually not that hung up on that. I’m annoyed that people list items as New Old Stock.....and they are not new.

How hard is it to say, "I sell used tubes I pull out of old radios. They test New and they’re awesome."

Thats how to do it. What if I sold a used scarred Mac 275 on Audiogon and I list it as NEW? That wouldn’t be right. But if I sell used tubes, I can call them new? Doesn’t make sense to me. Again, I don’t care if they’re used, but don’t piss in my ear and tell me it’s raining.

That’s all.

T

Hey @oddiofyl why did you buy that laptop just to look at the date & time up in the corner?

I have come to accept the labeling of used tubes as NOS although I think a better term would be Reclaimed Tubes.

All current manufacturers, at least the ones I have used should be utterly ashamed at their ineptness, apathy, ignorance, or whatever it is that makes them seemingly unable to make a tube properly. And I never knew what I was missing.

The 1.5 minutes of listening to Black Plate RCA’s and Mullards in my system (even when one of the tubes was dying at the time) showed me that modern manufactures are embarrassingly inadequate. There is absolutely no comparison.

The current state of world is so pathetic.

Anyway, I have been in further contact with Brent and he will send me a replacement.

Have a great day everyone.

@bgross Thanks. BTW Brent is sending out a replacement presently.

@newbee 

I am no expert but I would consider tubes made prior to 1970 and never left the box to be NOS. ive never thought JJ to be very good. I giess it comes down to synergy.

@invalid 

If i see a case of tubes wrapped in decades old plastic, I open it to find pristinne boxes with no creases, I open a box to find an unblemeshed tube, I will consider them NOS. If I yank it out of a radio, I would not.

If you sell something that is clearly used  or has a 50/50 chance of being used....you should absolutely not sell it labelled as new.

@pindac

Or the opposite could be true.

So what?

I dont have a problem having used tubes. I just dont think you should sell something used and claim it is new. Its not rocket science and I cant understand anyone having an issue with this. If youre seeling something used, dont call it new. I have zero issue with buying used tubes.

@invalid 

Unless,

""If i see a case of tubes wrapped in decades old plastic, I open it to find pristinne boxes with no creases, I open a box to find an unblemeshed tube, I will consider them NOS.""

Dont you have something better to do? Why can't I have a different opinion than you?

@invalid  

why do you ask? Do you have some you are considering purchasing?

@pindac 

Whoops, I did. Sorry

@pindac 

Uhhhh, no idea what you're talking about. Did I tag you? If I did, it was an accident.

I dont know if I mentioned it but Brent has sent the AT7 replacement.

@tomcy6 

Im sure it will be fine.  

Interesting point, the mullard ax7's underwent a significan change after a while, which tells me they went through a breakin process which I assume points to them being New. 😉

@paulcreed 

So....Does this brick and mortar place have a site or a name? You can DM me if you are worried about a rush. :-)

BTW, the RCA Blackplates I purchased from Brent were $40. The mullards were $50.

Ok, on the replacement tube from Brent and the other AT7.

1st night the new tube (no pun intended) was quite noisy intermittently which I have read is normal on an actual new tube :-), 2nd night the new tube quieted down but intermittently whistled in a very high pitch.

2nd day, the other At7 whistled on startup. I tapped the tube and it is fine now.

Hopefully the whistling will not be a normal occurrence as I woould like to replace the cover on my pre.

Anyway, there we have it. Sounding awesome at the moment.

TD

For any tubeheads on this thread. Things are sounding sublime.

I replaced monoblock input AX7's, and the AT7's in the pre....

Should I even worry about the 6922's in the monoblocks?

Thoughts and experiences as to amp drivers?

I think because of logevity issues, I will stick with modern GLKT77 power tubes.

Thanks

TD

Well everything is perfectly quiet now. Brent mentions actual unused tubes from past eras will make noise in the begining.

As to KT77's, yeah, they are great. Im thinking I should buy a couple more sets before the purposely demolished economy makes them unattainable.

TD

The nos tubes have proven to be too unstable for me. Everything will be sublime for an hour then this one will snow or this one will microphonic or this one will high tone ring. Im tired of chasing which one is doing what. Very disappointing. If I knew I could get a couple nos AX7's and a couple nos AT7's  that I could depend on, I would do it, but at this point I just put the GL's in and Im going to not worry about it anymore.

It could be worse.

TD

@tksteingraber 

Well, I've always had a problem quitting and over reacting. :-)

They are back in and Im going to get to the bottom of each and every one scientifically, what it does and when, all before Brent gets back from vacation so I can give him my findings. I'm sure he will be perfectly cool about whatever issues there are.

I always have bad luck though. I had to return my Direct stream jr. because for some reason it wouldn't get along with my pre. That said, everything has been trouble free since then and the H4's have been perfect.

I received a pair of RCA 5960’s NOS from Tubestore Canada as a substitute for 12AT7’s.

Very Very nice.

If you use 12At7’s and NOS, I strongly Suggest you get some of these...NOW.

Anyway just thought I’d put it out there.

TD