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Yes that's correct EAT tubes. EAT stands for Euro Audio Team. According to their website "After searching since 1993 for 300B type valves, we found nothing satisfying or reliable due to the typical mass , low quality ,Chinese, Russian, or similar productions (KR, AVVT, etc.). We checked every interesting upcoming products in this area. Materials a decade ago and existing tubes were for one not available, expensive, and for second nowadays cheap copies of the old originals. So, we founded a team starting around the euro (Italy, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Tesla-Czech Rep. UK), where each country has the best input (know how, design, material, machinery)."I had never heard of EAT tubes before but they seem to be making some HIGH-QUALITY tubes. Check it out for yourself at:
http://www.euroaudioteam.com/en/
My question is are these guys new? Or are they fairly well known? The reason I ask is because I just came across them today while surfing the web for tubes and I'm curious why more people aren't talking about them.
Follow Ups:
... remember Animal, the rather spirited drummer for Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem? At one point, when encouraged to "beat the drums", Animal gleefully replied "EAT DRUM" and proceeded to do just that.Perhaps Animal was modeled on a certain well-known British R&R drummer, now departed from this life :-)
Discussions in the archives say that EAT is not really designing anything new but simply labeling other brands, putting them into fancy wood boxes then jacking up the price. For example their 300B is supposed to be a $440 Tesla.
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EAT was formed by Josefina, who probably has no clue what makes a good tube. She worked for some years at AVVT under Alessa Vaic and his sister, basically secretarial and order desk, what she learned - and any contacts she made - she got from Vaic.She seems to have scooped a few products and/or designs from Alessa and got a few underutilized tube factories to produce some small runs for her - and hence, the birth of EAT. The prices are astronomical and hugely out of line with the products - but that's simple marketing strategy, to create an aura of exclusivity. Most products seem to be sourced from the Tesla factory, but the 45 looks too much like the EML to be a coincidence - rumor has it they are EML offcuts.
This brand has been around for several years now, and people should ask themselves - why doesn't anyone talk about or own these tubes? Why is there no buzz about them? With only 2 current makers of 45's, for example, you would think there would be lots of people jumping to try the EAT - myself included - but there are not any. Why not?
Because the market has seen through EAT and rejected it.
And anyone who gets woody from the picture of Josefina on the EAT website is a really hardup old man. There's a lot better walking down the street most days, get out more often. Pass on the EAT tubes, might as well just buy a Tesla or JJ.
... I think she was related by marriage at one time to Alesa Vaic... sister of his sister in law or something. In any case I think there was a big falling-out between some of them.I think their 45 is not an offcut of an EML, but simply nearly the same tube produced by the same factory. The EML, Vaic, Kron and EAT tubes all share such a common family resemblance, I think they are all made in the old Tesla factory or at least there is a common sharing of parts suppliers and techniques. All very similar, esp. things like filament springs.
EAT still has some stock of old AVVT tubes, AV8's for example. but, they too are somewhat overpriced compared to other sources.
EAT seems to have some nice tubes, but given the price, the same thing is available else where for less.
As for Josefina herself... well, she's quite charming in person. Certainly a very nice woman, I have no problem with her. Have you met her Robert? If not, maybe *you* should get out more often... ;-) She'll likely be @ CES I bet.
I give her credit for trying at least to make a go of the tube business.
" In any case I think there was a big falling-out between some of them."Yes, when you are trusted, and then bail out with the family secrets to go into competition, it usually doesn't make for a harmonious environment.
"I think their 45 is not an offcut of an EML, but simply nearly the same tube produced by the same factory."
Same tube produced by same factory - sounds like an offcut to me. But the thing is - EML, the partnership with JAC, developed that 45 - and Josefina's looks like, well, a knock-off. Call it what you will.
The EML, Vaic, Kron and EAT tubes all share such a common family resemblance, I think they are all made in the old Tesla factory or at least there is a common sharing of parts suppliers and techniques.
That hasn't been true for at least 10 years - when Alessa and Kron fell out. KR has their own factory - I suspect a very good one - Alessa's factory is now abandoned, EML have their own very small group. EAT quite bluntly look different from all those - lower quality components and finish - typical of the Tesla factory. Except the 45.
"EAT seems to have some nice tubes, but given the price, the same thing is available else where for less."
As I said, there is virtually no significant market penetration for EAT due to the dubious origins and gross overpricing.
"As for Josefina herself... well, she's quite charming in person. Certainly a very nice woman, I have no problem with her. Have you met her Robert?"
I'm sure she is quite charming Ed, but the issue is whether there is any substance behind that - product wise. Personally, I love charming women, but not when I feel their hand pulling my wallet out of my pocket.
"I give her credit for trying at least to make a go of the tube business."
I agree, too bad she didn't do it with a credible product at an honest price. As you said, there's plenty good stuff available for less.
There's a review of EAT KT88 Diamond tubes in the latest issue (No. 34) of Hi-Fi+ magazine. They seem to rate them quite highly.
I've been interested in their KT88s. I've read reports that they are excellent, they look great, but they are pricey. There're some decent new production KT88s and 6550s available for fairly short money, and even most vintage can be had for less than EAT KT88s.
..they have been around for a while. Search the forums. Consensus: overpriced, and nothing really special. Better/more reliable/cheaper tubes of the same type can be had from places like EML, Kron, etc. The main upside of EAT is that Josefina is a hottie. ;-)
I did several types of searches here and didn't get very much at all from them. Nothing of substance on the KT88, and the only extended threads concerned either a Positive Feedback review, or a discussion of the specific parentage of the 300 tube. I don't see where we have achieved "consensus" at all, because I just couldn't find much on this forum.While you may be correct in the substance of your assertions, especially about price, I would like to see more discussion/reviews of the KT88 in particular before we move to sentencing. Although I have to admit the whole thing, as Robert H. indicates, does have some faint, unpleasant aroma about it. I am particularly displeased to see that they chose to feature a tasty team member photo for apparently little more than taking advantage of the hormone factor. I was already thinking that they are merely a virtual corporation trying to find another marketing angle at the lucrative ultrahighend US audio market. Of course, if they would post more photos of said team member, we could continue our discussion...
Thanks Ed, one never knows until they ask.....
..they might warrant more consideration. still, they have been passed around various US distributors with none making a real go of it. I believe Kevin @ KandK audio still has some leftover stock from them. He was their dist. for a while. www.kandkaudio.com
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