Tubes & Audio Research Corp.

I have purchased tubes from Kevin Deal for my GTA SE40, my GTA SEP-1SE, an my SF line 2. In all cases, I have been extremely happy with the tubes. Kevin knows his tubes, how they will sound with a certain model and takes the time to test them thoroghly. No one in this industry can offer this level of service (BTW I live near Buffalo, NY and am not related to Kevin). I plan on contacting him soon to buy more tubes.

I have talked to Kevin on the phone 3 different times.I at first was after some free advice and wasnt really planning on buying from him as I felt I would shop around for the best price.He spent time with me even though I knew he was busy.He answered all my questions and was nice when I didnt make an order.I called him a couple weeks later and he remembered me and answered a couple more questions.I decided to buy some NOS tubes from him based on the fact he was so gracious and made a recommendation I trusted.He gave me a good price on some Tels and Radiotechniques.My Rogue 99 sounds incredible now.Kevin didnt make much money on the sale but still treated me like I was important.He sent exactly what he said he would and these tubes perform how he predicted they would.I wont shop around anymore for the best price again.I got killer tubes at a killer price from Upscale Audio.

I recently dealt with Kevin looking for NOS tubes for my Melos monoblocks. Kevin took the time to explain alternatives. The tubes that I got from him made a significant improvement to my amps performance. I would highly recommend him.

Upscale, I didn't come to the conclusion that those E88CC were not NOS Tungsrams (I haven't a clue how to tell the difference). ARC told my friend this after his LS25 began to have troubles. He sent the unit in and was told those tubes were NOT NOS Tungsrams and that they were an imitation made in Eastern Europe, a tube they said was "hot" on the market. ARC admitted that the problem he was having with the LS25 was NOT caused by the tubes. If you say they are and ARC says they aren't, who are we to believe? What does ARC have to gain by telling my friend this?

Go to my website for a picture. Anyone who is well read (go to Tube Asylum at www.audioasylum.com) will tell you a Tungsram will have a metal tab on the side of the plate with numbers embossed, upper and lower spacers that have smooth edges like a Philips Holland tube would (they had a relationship in the old days), and shiny nickel plated pins. Not gold. And for your information....Tungsram is a Hungarian company and last time I check that IS Eastern Europe. At least most folks would call it that, though technically it is "Eastern Central Europe" since we are getting "nit picky". Manufacturers are the worst at tube ID and plaster anything on there that they are told. Not that they mean harm. It's too labor intensive to study and remember the small things that ID a tube. I can site really goofy statments about MOST companies. But then that is not their biz, is it? Just like I would not suppose to design and manufacture an amp. Examples? I have a major high end manufacturer labeled 12AX7 that say "made in Germany" that are Ei Yugoslavia made. "Valvo" E88CC that are made by Tesla in Slovakia. Siemens 6922 that are now showing up as Mullard...neither of which have the proper etched codes.