Can’t buy output tubes anywhere except from manufacturers at high prices.


I have given some thought about going the tube route for amplification but it sounds  like a risky move. None of usual online stores: Tube Store, Tube Depot or Upscale Audio have any output tube available. Are things that bad? 

hiendmmoe

You might try Eurotubes. www.eurotubes.com. I have bought many tube from them. Great people.

@bigeks357 -  I've used VivaTubes they are a reliable vendor.

@hiendmmoe - You haven't stated either the amp(s) that you are interested in, or the tube compliment of the amp(s) that you are considering; it would be helpful to know so folks can maybe help point you vendors and/or brand options. For instance, while the TubeDepot and the TubeStore are out of stock on some brands of KT88 & EL34 tubes they have availability in other brands. Likewise, vendors such as Sophia Electric appear to have KT88s & EL34s, VivaTubes has availability, PremiumVacuumTubes has KT88s.  The KT 90 KT120 & KT150 tubes maybe harder to source at the moment as there aren't multiple brands  However, VivaTubes appears to have availability of them at the moment. The TubeStore has KT150s & KT90s but not KT120s. Anyway, just some examples.

 

I’m unloading my matched KT150’s because they’re more power than I need. When I priced them for my ad, I looked around and there are lots of tubes out there.

The OP may feel prices for tubes are "high," but they are available and prices always fluctuate.

Especially KT types and 6550s. Their prices if you can find them have skyrocketed.