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Looking for suggestions for a good and trusted tube dealer

Has anyone lately bought tubes from Andy in Michigan of Vintage Tubes, and if so, how did it go?  I bought a couple of batches from him about 25 years ago, and I was surprised to see his web site still in existence.

In doing searches for tube dealers, I also found a site by "Brent Jessee."  In my past searches I had never seen that site before.  Does anyone have experience there, and if so how did that go?

I am looking to upgrade the stock Electro Harmonix 6SN7s in a Cary SLP 05 and I was hoping to find a dealer that people had had positive experiences with.

immatthewj
rodman99999
6,154 posts
 

    Another vote for Brent Jessee, for signal (octal and nine pin) tubes (excellent tube quality/testing protocols and customer support*).

     For power tubes: Upscale Audio and these guys:

https://tctubes.com/6550-KT88-KT90-KT120-tubes.aspx   (*ditto, for both)

     This eBay seller, in Germany, for the real thing in NOS, rare Siemens, Teles, etc:

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_dmd=2&iconV2Request=true&_ssn=audiotubes_de&store_cat=0&store_name=tubesandradio&_oac=1   (*ditto)

decooney
1,993 posts
 

Having bought from most of the providers mentioned above, for my better NOS pairs I finally caved and bought some curve tracer matched-triode pairs from Brent Jesse. They did exceed others and were worth the added cost. 

larsman's avatar
larsman
1,936 posts
 

I mostly buy my tubes from Brent Jessee.... 

immatthewj OP
1,947 posts
 

I sure appreciate all the feedback!

Brent Jessee did email me back. I had described my system, the room, & my musical preferences and he replied:

"NOS tubes will be far better than the EH tubes you are running now.  I would suggest General Electric for your taste in music:

 

Good: 6SN7GTB 1960s GE side getter, $75.00 per matched pair

Best: 6SN7GTA 1950s GE short bottle, $119.00 per matched pair

 

Both are rock solid performers, the GTA has a bit more image and focus."

I still haven't called Andy yet.  I think I'll give him a call tonight or sometime tomorrow. 

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