Wow, didn't know I was walking into a Deal-a-thon! :o) I have had good experiences with Kevin as well. Also a gent in Michigan some years back named Ken Bowman of Top Hat fame had good tubes, test equipment and ran an honest shop. Mine was only a cautionary buyer beware tale, not a slight against Kevin or the one or two other worthy tube sources. |
Buy from ARC, tubes from others may be matched, but they aren't matched at the exact current draw the amp expects to see. You could have a matched set from another source that isn't with-in the range the bias can be adjusted on the amp. Unfortunately ARC isn't divulging what parameters they are looking for in testing/matching tubes, so you don't know what current draw specification you want all the tubes to match. I've bought several matched tube sets from other vendors & had quality control issues. Output tubes you might get by with from other sources, but input/driver tubes need to be exactly what the amps looking for, or you'll never get the input/driver stage voltages in balance with-in specified parameters. My understanding is Kevin Deal doesn't sell tubes for audio research power amps (too many come back as returns)I, from personal experience, don't trust him & you won't find any negative feedback on this site because A-gon wants his advertising dollars.I've personally had my negative feedback for upscale not published on A-gon, without explaination or reply from "management". I'd definately recommend ARC tubes sets in arc power amps.I've retubed various VT100 series amps 3 or 4 times & wouldn't even attempt a complete retube with tubes sourced elsewhere. Getting the input/driver circuit with-in specs is a major, frustrating effort, because changes to one adjustment point affects the other adjustment point & visa-versa, a constant moving target! |
I wasn't being rude. I was being direct. I guess that can come off as rude to someone that won't take no for an answer. You asked my assistant 3 times to sell you tubes. He told you 3 times we do not re-tube the VT100 anymore. It's been that way for over a year and is clearly stated on our website. He was not being rude or mean, he was simply informing you of our policy regarding that amp, and you were being difficult. So I jumped on the phone to end it. I appreciate the shouts from others, and if it were any other amp the story would be quite different. I just don't want to retube that amp anymore. |
The last set of tubes I bought for my little ARC VT50 I bought from Upscale Audio. When it comes time to re-tube the Amp I will do the same, buy them from Upscale Audio. Taters, In case you haven't re-tubed your Amp in the past, you might want to check this out. Abe Collins, ARC VT 100 Might explain a little better why Upscale Audio does not sales tubes for the VT 100 Amp. |
