2. amps-preamps
  3. 1199816340

What is the best place to buy tubes?

What is the best place to buy tubes? I've read several threads on Audiogon listing many tube stores, but where can you get quality? I bought tubes from Tube Depot (listed many times here) and paid extra for matching. Not only weren't they well matched but 1/3 of them were bad, so I suspect the tubes I received weren't actually tested. Then they sent replacements, but half of those tested bad. I bought matched sets from The Tube Store, but they were so poorly matched that the distortion was worse that the old tubes they replaced. I've bought from equipment manufacturers (CJ, ARC) and found they do good testing and matching, but their prices are very high. Is there any place to get tubes that are matched well and of good quality? Thanks.
holos
majicjazz
66 posts
 
Andy at Vintage Tube Services. The Best.
Mike
hartwerger
105 posts
 
My vote is for Brent Jesse at http://www.audiotubes.com/
and/or Jim McShane. Both great guys, knowledgeable, and trustworthy.
883dave
50 posts
 
I have purchased 5 tubes from Brendan at Tube World over the last several years, received what I bought and paid for. Good matched pairs (checked on my tube tester)and no microphonics (7308's, E188cc's and 5751's).
rlawry
486 posts
 
I have bought tubes from Kevin at Upscale Audio, Andy at Vintage Tube Services, Ken at Advantage Tube Services, and Brendan at Tube World with good results. Tube World is one of the higher-priced places, but he has an unmatched inventory, not to mention a huge treasure trove of information.
jtimothya
612 posts
 
One thing I will say for Tubeworld ... tube descriptions and sonic characterizations are absolutely spot on, in my experience. Prices may be a bit higher than some, but products are exactly as described - Brendan knows his tubes. He and Andy Bowman at VTS are two of the very best.
More to discover