2. amps-preamps
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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 4 responses by mapman

mapman's avatar
mapman
22,636 posts
 
I see any tube as a gamble to a certain extent. Much like all the rest, just somewhat higher risk I would say.

If you must drop a lot of $$$s on tubes, buy only from reputable sources with a rep for good customer service. Or else go cheaper when possible and risks not so great.

In recent years I’ve only bought tubes from two sources: 1) Audio Research or 2) Guitar Center to play with cheaper options where practical. Sometimes it is practical, sometimes not. For example, tubes used in a phono section probably need to meet higher tolerance standards than those in the line stage. In my Audio Research sp16, 1 of three phono section tubes must meet higher tolerance. Only pricey tube from ARC will do for no audible background noise. All others (5), not nearly so much.  If you buy all six,  that one costs more and is marked for use in the proper place.

I do not do tube power amps to-date so no recent experience there.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,636 posts
 
How do you or even a seller know a tube labeled NOS has never been used? No telling where they have been. Literally. They are old so they’ve been around...

It’s still old even if never used. Old tubes today may not last as long as when they were new.

Whatever. It’s all semantics...it is what it is. Bravo to the Marketing Guys who came up with the name NOS.

If NOS is what you want, just buy from a reputable source who offers some kind of warranty or guarantee and all is well that ends well. I would not trust that every tube called NOS by any Joe blow out there in fact has never been used or will even last very long. Old is old. Someone reliable needs to certify and back that up. So just be careful, that’s all. Always good advice when dropping $$$s for something especially at a premium price.

Personally, I would avoid new products that require old devices to sound their best, but that’s just me.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,636 posts
 
Because they are all old, not new at all. Granted some are still in like new condition, maybe never used, hopefully at least tested.

They don’t call a used car in good condition NOS. IT’s just used....and sometimes also very old.

Marketing genius. Just be careful....
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,636 posts
 
Hats off to the Marketing genius who came up with the term "New Old Stock".  Well done!
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