2. amps-preamps
  3. 191433-18279

Do you Know a Trusted Seller of Chinese Vacuum Tubes?

With the terrible Russian offensive/war and the drying up of NOS tubes, I ventured more deeply into Chinese tubes.  

Does anyone have a recommended seller who might actually test for noise/microphonics?  I wish Kevin Deal's outfit would start carrying some of the premium offerings.  I'm surprised he doesn't given (I think) Primaluna branded tubes are likely Chinese (Shuguang, maybe?).  

Some of the Chinese preamp tubes I've tried sound glorious. Getting them without noise can be a challenge. 

 

128x128jbhiller
tkrtrb125
293 posts
 

Some yes and some no: https://www.tubedepot.com/t/tubes/preamp-tubes

Some JJs can sound good. Prefer to support neither and put my tube gear away. 

hasmarto's avatar
hasmarto
198 posts
 

Vivatubes is a great seller, and their tubes are matched without charging more. They carry Psvane and Linlai stuff.

audition__audio
1,482 posts
 

Why limit yourself to Chinese? Still a great many old stock preamp tubes available from numerous reliable sellers. 

jbhiller's avatar
jbhiller OP
1,403 posts
 

Just bought set from Apos. Very attractive pricing and representations on quality. 

@audition__audio , Yes, that's true, but I've had a few issues with NOS tubes (test strong but microphonic).  I have a sensitive preamp.  What's more, I have heard some of the Linlai and Shuguang higher end offerings and some of the rival NOS if not beat it, IMHO. 

None of my post is meant to binary--one tube over the other, China better than Russia, NOS not available at all.  I just meant it's nice to have options and the Chinese are making great tubes--Linlai and Shuguang have some interesting stuff. 

tkrtrb125
293 posts
 

Good luck and let us know how they work out for you. 

More to discover