Western Electric 300a and 300b

For value check sold items @ Hifishark.

They are the same tube spec wise and differ in that one has a guide pin sticking out the side of the bass (my Svetlana 300B’s had such a guide pin).

They would of course need to be tested.

They should be OK to use in most 300B based single ended amps with the exception of a few designed for SUPER 300B type contemporary tubes.

Cary audio made one of these amps and @ least one other manufacturer as well (think the SUPER 300B tubes are now out of production and scarce).

Considering their rarity I would go with an amp that features a soft/slow start feature which will be kinder to the output tubes.

Some amps use a soft start rectifier tube (example - 5ar4) and some use special circuitry to achieve the same end.

DeKay

People ask crazy money for engraved-base 300b’s.  I saw seversl asks of $20k for a pair.  Of course, ask and whst they get can be WAY different.  I heard several push pull and a SET running those tubes (two pairs per channel). 
As crazy as are those prices, 300a’s are even more rare and expensive.  I’ve only seen and touched a pair, I did not hear them.  The dealer and builder of custom amps was collecting them for a customer who need two pairs.

If you really don’t know much about these things, sell them.  Do not use them in any crappy gear; they deserve to be used in really good amps.

Delay,

Would you consider 422a a soft start? Thanks for the response 

Larri 

I can't believe it! I'm into collecting tubes and looking at signals. I haven't listened to these. But yes, I think I will sell them 

Any connections?

Cheers 

Contact Deja Vu Audio in Virginia.  They buy these kind of tubes for use in reconditioned/rebuilt Western Electric amps.