Western Electric looking for consumer feedback to make new tubes


Via @aricaudio on Facebook. Forwarding so folks here can weigh in.

Aric Audio Systems

Western Electric looking for consumer feedback to make new tubes! This was brought to my attention a few days ago, and I’ve filled out the form stating that I would love to see mid-priced 6SN7s, 5U4Gs, EL34s, and KT88s from them. I’m not sure how long of a time-frame we’re looking at here, but it appears at the very least that Western Electric is interested in hearing from us! Please fill out the form and don’t forget to put down what tubes you would like to see from them, this could be a good thing!

https://www.westernelectric.com/expand

128x128hilde45

@whitestix

but at $6K for a quad of new WE 300b tubes,

A new quad of WE300b tubes are $3k not $6k. There is a cost of entry to high quality SET. I’m not saying that Chinese 300b’s dont sound good but there is more to the art that costs $$ to get right.

 

ghastly,

I suspect that your are correct that the tubes you mention are the Valhalla of 300b tubes, but at $6K for a quad of new WE 300b tubes, there are much most affordable choices that might reveal a high percentage of the magic of 300b tubes. You could buy a decent used car for the price of a pair of NOS WE 300 tubes.  

@whitestix 

Their tubes are too pricey for their performance compared to the best Chinese tubes. 

WE300b, Elrog and Takatsuki are the three best 300b’s cuurently manufactured. I can understand someone preferring one of these brands over another but there isn’t a Chinese 300b in the same league as WE.

 

Their tubes are too pricey for their performance compared to the best Chinese tubes. 

Unlikely they will reduce the cost of 300b, why would they? They are selling them at $1500 pr no problem.

They could probably fill up that extra production capacity by reducing the price on the 300Bs.  

Thanks @hilde45  great news. I’ve submitted my form. Seems there are two similar threads here. 

I replied, and their survey is missing key tubes.  In the text box I reiterated the need for two output tubes and one input/driver tube not listed with traction past two years.  Prefer to buy all of these made in America if they don't get too greedy on price. 

KT120

KT150 

6SN7

Ok, I'll keep the thread. Just sends them traffic for their survey.

Do they really need feedback? 

I don't know why a company would conduct a poll and use man-hours to record and process it if they didn't need it. Could be someone's whim, I guess, but not sure how to guess this other than think they'd not be inclined to waste their own time.

No, don't delete this thread, There might be some additional, more current comments to add and I have already just submitted feedback requesting the 6922 tube.

They are trying to determine how best to use some additional tube production capacity that they have by getting user input. Takes 2 minutes to complete their survey

Do they really need feedback? If the Russian production goes poof or buckles under demand, then the market needs big KT tubes first, then 6H30, then smaller power tubes. Small signal tubes would be nice, but old stock is still gonna last us a while there.