NOS Tubes - Ecstasy or Agony


I have been running tube amps for many years and have built a number of SETs and other tube amps, kit's mostly.  My main power tubes have been 2A3's and 300bs and I have used mostly new manufacture tubes including JJ's and EML 300b's (great tube btw).  I did use NOS driver tubes and headphone amp tubes.  Never really had a problem.

I just transitioned to a Don Sach's 6sn7 based preamp and McCormack SS power amp.  The preamp is very nice and sounds great with Shugang tubes. Of course, I wanted to try some NOS tubes, went online and did my research.  Now the DS2 is a great preamp, the drawback is it uses 4 6sn7s and so I need to get pairs.  Would  have love to get my hands on the Dehavilland, uses one tube!

First Pair - I ordered some Sylvania's from TC Tubes. Advertised as 50's vintage, ,when I received  them they were marked 60's. Hmmm.  So I tried them and they sounded pretty darn good except after a couple hours one of them developed a high pitched hum, like a florescent bulb. So I sent them back.  

Second Pair - ordered from Brent Jesse - has a good rep online and a really informative website.  Received them and one was dead on arrival, they were also clearly of different construction. So they are going back.

Next will try Andy at Vintage Tubes Services, he also has a solid  reputation so hopefully I can get something that works.

I am curious what experiences others have had. Maybe its COVID, or are these dealers just unreliable, or is just 6sn7's?  Really thought I could just buy some NOS tubes and experiment, I can't even get two to work.

I don't really want to disparage these dealers but I do think all the claims of testing are maybe overblown.
drewh1

Showing 9 responses by drewh1

Goose - please stop recommending Andy, he is a month behind on orders and I want to get my tubes before anyone else orders! :)

Actually, I spoke to him today and he is holding off on new orders until he gets caught up. 
Brent is standing behind is product. i spoke with him and we are replacing the tubes with some VT231's.  Hopefully these will work out.

Helomechi - I did order some RCA's from Andy. He does seem to think they are the best sounding.  I need two pair for my DS-2 so I can always use them in the buffer position if they are not as nice as the Sylvania's.  I guess I should bite the bullet and try the Tung Sol's . . .  suppose I am already down the rabbit hole.
Great feedback on these vendors. Thanks all.  It seems with "NOS" tubes buying from a seller that backs up the sale is worth a couple extra bucks. 

FYI - regarding the 6sn7 here is a page on the Dehavilland website that I found interesting: http://www.dehavillandhifi.com/6sn7_vt.htm  


Mapman - I don't think it is about devices that "require" old devices to sound their best. Mostly there are pretty good modern tubes out there. I think EML makes tubes that rival the supposed NOS stuff. However, there are some really good old stock tubes that provide a sought after sound. To some degree they all act as tone controls varying slightly the tonal balance of the equipment.  

I do agree, I wouldn't want to have to rely on them though.
Brent and Andy both grade tubes based on microphonics for line stage use vs phono.  

And I want to say, Brent has been outstanding on follow up and helping me get a good set of 6sn7s for my DS-2.  I feel the extra effort is worth it. I have a nice Pass Labs passive pre, love it, but it doesn't compete for musicality with my tube pre.
Quick update - finally got the tubes from Brent. Latest issue was the package got lost in the big storm so it took them weeks to get here. RCA VT-231s.  Very sweet sound, with a nice balance of bass and sparkle. Definitely more depth and air then the Shuguang's  They have a little hiss but I will give me some time to burn in per Brent's advice.  Definitely takes my system up a level.  I have a pair of Ken Rad's coming so I am interested in hearing those as well.  
Thanks for your comments Atmasphere! your products look awesome.

RCA's had a nice sound but were terribly microphonic. So they are going back.  I am having such bad luck, I wonder if something about the circuit in my preamp is especially sensitive to microphonic tubes.

Now awaiting the Ken Rad's from Andy. If I get some decent tubes from him, i'll buy another pair of the RCAs to try as I really did like everything about them (except the noise).
I no longer  think there is an issue with the preamp. I started a new thread but wanted to reply. here to atmasphere.

I just recieved a pair of '56 RCAs and '53 Sylvania's.  None of the tubes are microphonic. even quieter than the new Shuquangs.