Tubes getting hard to come by?


Hi All,

I've noticed that both Upscale Audio and the Tube Depot are running out of tubes, or, at least, they are limiting buyers to ONE TUBE PER MONTH (UPSCALE) or simply out of many popular tubes.  Am I imagining this, or is the pandemic, or something else, causing a dearth of available tubes?  Might this be a bad time to buy a tube amp because of this?

rustler

Showing 3 responses by petg60

I agree you can still find good and honest sellers on ebay, with positive transaction ratings and at least you know that you will get a refund in case something is not as advertised.

But for common tubes like ecc81/ecc83/ecc88 chances for getting true NOS are dramatically low so you trust the test data the seller provides.

Better double check after receiving even on a different tube tester.

 

Case in point @rodman9999.

Prices are high though but what can you do.

Always keep some spares.

Hopefully we'll see both innovations in tube manufacturing which will create new tubes with improved quality over nos, and increased production capability. 

Redesigning what? Tube topology? What makes NOS tubes desirable is their sonic character and durability compared to modern production contributed by used materials used back then. Nowdays most of these materials are health hazardous.

Still you need new plants and raw material, back to square one.

Old tube factories are sold or dismantled, ROI would be low.

As for NOS how many hands to switch before dead if not already.

My friends every year old production tubes availability is dropping drastically and only hope for users to benefit is a min demand.

Anyway procurement was not great, for new tubes, but during this time nothing is.