Tubes Asylum

• Show me B309 and coin base ECC81 auctions Vinylforever - Kevin Deal 07:21:29 03/30/04 (0)
  In Reply to: Re: Not off the mark.- thanks...and on the snob stuff posted by Vinylforever on March 29, 2004 at 23:59:23:

  you said:

  "I have seen the Whyteleafe B309 at eBay many times during the last year and they were only something like $10 to $20 a piece, if one knows how to identify them. I bet a lot tube lovers have the A2900, especially those who happen to be in Europe or England. The Valvo coinbase ECC81 shows up regualrly at eBay Germany, normally for a few bucks only."

  Can you find me some auctions...completed or current, on e-bay for either of these? On any e-bay site, any country, including Germany?

  Since they show up "regularly for a few bucks" I am sure you can give us several links. Old completed auctions are OK. Go back as far as you can.

  
  
  

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• Re: Not off the mark.- thanks...and on the snob stuff - Kevin Deal 06:49:59 03/30/04 (1)
  In Reply to: Re: Not off the mark.- thanks...and on the snob stuff posted by Vinylforever on March 29, 2004 at 23:59:23:

  I did not mean for it to be personal. This is an observation. Sorry if it sounds like I'm busting anyone's chops. I have most stuff in stock. You don't know whether I have a particular item here or not. My point is that the furthur into this you get, there is sometimes an elitism you see by tube heads. And others suffer. Ain't good for the hobby and new blood into tubesville.

  The best tube is never one that is easy to find. What a coincidence. Always a triple-ripple hacky sack half black plate something. I supplied many of the super rare tubes for review in a particular tube magazine. Read the credits. (note...great magazine). What cracked me up was when I would send the editor stuff...I would say "I'm sending you this XXXX tube...I don't know if you should even mention it in the test because it is so rare, why bother".

  The oddest/rarest tubes, possibly because there were few made due to flaws that were improved or the company was not competetive, always was the best sounding in this magazine test. Psychological? Maybe.

  When tubes were sold to the military or industry, it was quite competetive. You bid a product to meet a certain spec. I bought out some of this inventory over the years and have engineering samples and the notes that went with them pertaining to grid rod material, plates, etc. So why is it the winner for performance, which resulted them being made in larger numbers, are not as good as a "coin base ECC81" of which there are a handful in the world?

  I think we do a disservice to guys that like tubes, or want to get into tubes, but get intimidated because a handful of guys tell them a tube that they can get with some ease and for low bucks is not good. It's not true. And I will prove it any time. I'll host a gathering to test or listen.

  I see the same crap in exotic cars. The Acura NSX is a better car in most ways than a Ferrari 348 or 355 from the same period. And not break. But it's Japanese. Guys that are into the Ferrari marque (especially new guys) will fight that screaming and kicking. Then there are guys that race...and really know...and are not pretentious about it defending rarity and cost. They will speak the truth, based on the facts.

  Think of this: These same tubeheads will almost never find an early and super rare 6SN7 or 12AX7, 12AT7, etc that sucks. Every one of them is magic. How ya like dat. How do dey do dat? Think about it. Sadly I feel like I contributed to this early on. I think it has gotten a bit much.
  
  

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  • Re: I dunno much but this is my findings so far - Russ57 09:39:37 03/30/04 (0)
    In Reply to: Re: Not off the mark.- thanks...and on the snob stuff posted by Kevin Deal on March 30, 2004 at 06:49:59:

    I find that if a tube is used as it was designed, which make/model of tube isn't as important. But if a tube was, say, designed for RF work but used for audio then it's far more likely that the make/model will make a big(ger) difference.

    The 12AT7 and 6DJ8 family are good examples. Make/model, at least in my gear, seems to make an easily heard difference. On the other hand in some of this gear I can also use the 6FQ7 family. Now I may like a 6CG7 blackplate (with shield) best but basically there isn't a bad 6CG7/6FQ7 tube around. Somehow the make/model of 12AT7 doesn't matter much in my tuner but it makes a big difference in my line stage.

    I am cheap, poor, and not into snob appeal, just the best sound for the least money. So I look for auctions with a large number of assorted brand tubes, used but tested good. Then I find out what I like and what I don't. Afterwards I ask certain re-sellers to keep an eye out for me for certain tubes at pre-arranged prices. In certain cases I find only a particular tube will do and then I simply gotta pony up da bucks and buy from an asylum sponser:)

    I do admit a fondness for blackplates though:)

    Please note that this is simply what works for me at present time and YMMV.

    But hey, what do I know, I actually liked EI and Mullard 12AX7's better than Telefukens!

    
    Russ
    
    

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