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

@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. 

 

here's what Viva Tubes has to say about supply:

Tube Shortage Update - Scarce & In-Stock

As time goes on, some areas are improving while others are worsening. We expect things to stay the same for the foreseeable future. As it stands now, there is typically enough supply to keep the world's amplifiers humming. Choices amongst brands and sub-types will remain touch-and-go but there is no reason to panic. 

Scarce as of March 2023: KT88, KT66, KT77, 6550, 6L6GC, KT120, KT50, KT170, 300B, 2A3, 6L6G, 12AY7, 12DW7 & certain brands of 12AX7.

You may notice that many of these are unavailable on platforms such as Amazon and also from tube vendors as well.

We are well-stocked on all of these types aside from KT120 & KT150. 

See our new Scarce & In-Stock category.