Vacuum tubes are making a comeback.

[Hoochie Coochie Man]

And this:

https://www.korgnutube.com/en

The Nutube, based on the Nixie tube display device.

 

[Lance Bunyon]

Don't get agedhorse started on the topic of golden-eared (and therefore non-engineer) audiophiles.

Why not? Although I respect his opinion as an engineer, human hearing is a very personal experience. Again, I grew up under the tutelage of my dad, a rocket guidance system engineer. I'm super familiar with oscilloscopes multimeters and all the various charts and graphs. Just because the engineer says it sounds good based on wave patterns doesn't mean my ear is pleased. Listening is subjective.
My dad's thesis was that any amp which created less harmonic distortion was arguably better. But he had a tin ear...

 

[ardgedee]

Where does someone find the THD specs of a phone, tablet or computer? I also guess it’s a moot point as it has to go through the horrible tiny integrated speakers .

Hobbyists used to publish third-party tests of them, I don't know if they still do. Oppo, Huawei, and probably a couple other companies have made phones specifically targeting the hi-fi hobbyist but honestly most of the higher-quality mobile devices made in the past dozen years with analog outs have good audio quality. The weak part is almost always the earphones.

Often with portable devices the biggest perceived problem can be the noise floor rather than THD, dynamic range or frequency range, because sealed earphones can be very efficient (so a comfortable listening level needs less power) and isolating (dampening external sounds that would otherwise be able to mask the audio device's own noise).

 

[ardgedee]

Could you imagine the arguments in the guitar world about the tone of each tube by individual unit if they weren't at least reasonably consistent?

Given how Dumble amps are a fetish, I can imagine a market for low-powered guitar amps with no product consistency. Maybe could be a decent side gig for somebody with an EE degree and fondness for crafts fairs.

 

[Killing Floor]

From the tube shops! AFAIK they're all still around. I get mine from Eurotubes in Portland.
GC stocks tubes in all the stores here, so does the local chain. Sweetwater sells tubes. Tube Depot and The Tube Store are still out there too.
You can finsh around both ebay and reverb and find tube retailers in a matter of seconds.

I have a small Champ and a Marshall head, both I’ve owned forever. I own a dozen+ tube based pedals as well. I can count on one hand the tubes I’ve had to buy in 35+ years. If you include that I’m smart enough to let someone else redo my amp, that’s still only 2 hands! I don’t get the panic we saw last year. Every mom and pop shop where I live has a lifetime supply of replacement tubes on the shelves. I don’t know what the future holds for Asian, European or other tube manufacturers but I do know that I will never need to panic buy tubes. They last a long time.

 

[MarshallAC50Stack]

I have a small Champ and a Marshall head, both I’ve owned forever. I own a dozen+ tube based pedals as well. I can count on one hand the tubes I’ve had to buy in 35+ years. If you include that I’m smart enough to let someone else redo my amp, that’s still only 2 hands! I don’t get the panic we saw last year. Every mom and pop shop where I live has a lifetime supply of replacement tubes on the shelves. I don’t know what the future holds for Asian, European or other tube manufacturers but I do know that I will never need to panic buy tubes. They last a long time.

I'd like to find a cache of 7199s.

 

[coreyfyfe]

I'd like to find a cache of 7199s.

I like to keep a complete backup tube set for each of my amps and have had a number of old Ampegs which means keeping some oddballs around. I think I have two or three good 7199s from owning a few B25 amps, but they’re getting pricier these days. Same with the 6K11 for the V4s.

re: tube hoarding, I don’t really get that either. Like I said I keep a backup set for each amp. I have some KT88s rebranded but made at Shuguang which I’ve liked in a few of my amps, for that reason I made sure to buy a set per amp when Shuguang closed, but fortunately that was before there was a run on tubes and prices started going absolutely bonkers. I should be set for the life of most of my amps given that I’m not running each of them exclusively or constantly, but we’ll see what the future holds.

 

[Hoochie Coochie Man]

I'm retired now, but back when I was employed, I sometimes had to find replacements for electronic components that had gone obsolete for some of our older product lines so we could still provide service on the equipment.

Example: Invalid Link Removed

I was talking to a twenty-something year old electrical engineer about just such a situation, and I just happened to have my '63 B 15 in my R&D lab, (after the power transformer failed), and I showed him my nearly 60 year old Ampeg, and told him that I had ordered a new PT, and that I could still get pretty much every other component needed to keep it going for another 60 years. He was amazed to learn that was the case.

 

[Patrice B]

Hobbyists used to publish third-party tests of them, I don't know if they still do. Oppo, Huawei, and probably a couple other companies have made phones specifically targeting the hi-fi hobbyist but honestly most of the higher-quality mobile devices made in the past dozen years with analog outs have good audio quality. The weak part is almost always the earphones.

Often with portable devices the biggest perceived problem can be the noise floor rather than THD, dynamic range or frequency range, because sealed earphones can be very efficient (so a comfortable listening level needs less power) and isolating (dampening external sounds that would otherwise be able to mask the audio device's own noise).

So, with a decent pair of headphones, an iPad, iPhone or any Android phone are good hifi devices I assume. My « headphone » prior experiences were with Walkman’s in the 80’s and 90’s and, lastly, only for vinyl listening through an Eico HF-81/Dual TT through a DIY headphone box (Grado Sr-60). Also, a bit of bass practice plugging cans (BeyerDynamics DT-770 Pro) in my Two Notes Captor X.

When listening to digital medium (FLAC, wav, ALAC), I do it through my tube amps (Fisher, Scott, Harman Kardon) with decent set of speakers.

To conclude, I’m way behind in the headphone listening department .

 

[Patrice B]

I like to keep a complete backup tube set for each of my amps and have had a number of old Ampegs which means keeping some oddballs around. I think I have two or three good 7199s from owning a few B25 amps, but they’re getting pricier these days. Same with the 6K11 for the V4s.

re: tube hoarding, I don’t really get that either. Like I said I keep a backup set for each amp. I have some KT88s rebranded but made at Shuguang which I’ve liked in a few of my amps, for that reason I made sure to buy a set per amp when Shuguang closed, but fortunately that was before there was a run on tubes and prices started going absolutely bonkers. I should be set for the life of most of my amps given that I’m not running each of them exclusively or constantly, but we’ll see what the future holds.

Me, I have backups (one, two or three depending) for all my tube gear (stereo amps, MI amps, tube tuners, etc…). Yes, I am a tube hoarder!

 

[Patrice B]

Why not? Although I respect his opinion as an engineer, human hearing is a very personal experience. Again, I grew up under the tutelage of my dad, a rocket guidance system engineer. I'm super familiar with oscilloscopes multimeters and all the various charts and graphs. Just because the engineer says it sounds good based on wave patterns doesn't mean my ear is pleased. Listening is subjective.
My dad's thesis was that any amp which created less harmonic distortion was arguably better. But he had a tin ear...

Quote from chief engineer@HH Scott:

Daniel R. von Recklinghausen, Chief Engineer, H.H. Scott: "If it measures good and sounds bad—it's bad. If it measures bad and sounds good, you've measured the wrong thing."

I’m not an engineer at all but find this interesting…

 

[MarshallAC50Stack]

Me, I have backups (one, two or three depending) for all my tube gear (stereo amps, MI amps, tube tuners, etc…). Yes, I am a tube hoarder!

I've had backups, now it's adapters and substitutes.

 

[ardgedee]

So, with a decent pair of headphones, an iPad, iPhone or any Android phone are good hifi devices I assume. My « headphone » prior experiences were with Walkman’s in the 80’s and 90’s and, lastly, only for vinyl listening through an Eico HF-81/Dual TT through a DIY headphone box (Grado Sr-60). Also, a bit of bass practice plugging cans (BeyerDynamics DT-770 Pro) in my Two Notes Captor X.

When listening to digital medium (FLAC, wav, ALAC), I do it through my tube amps (Fisher, Scott, Harman Kardon) with decent set of speakers.

To conclude, I’m way behind in the headphone listening department .

There are a lot of good options in headphones these days. If you're into vintage, there are some that can sound fantastic through your old tube amps -- track down a set of AKG K240 Sextettes. Sextette was a speaker design used in a few different AKG headphone models in the mid to late 1970s; the easiest to find and probably best sounding were the K240. Keep in mind that most K240 phones are not Sextettes.

For your phone I'm not up on what's currently good in IEMs but you should be able to get some very good sounding items for $100 or less. Etymotic and Shure make IEMs more expensive than that but are guaranteed to be reliable, sound excellent, and can be upgraded later with custom ear molds for better comfort and noise isolation. (I've found IEMs that I like years ago and stopped paying attention to what's come out since, so there are probably other really great options.)

DM me if you want more suggestions, since this is probably not the best comment thread for headphone talk.

 

[Pocket Dave]

There are two remaining active audio tube manufacturing plants in the world since the Shugang plant in China burned.

One is in Saratov, Russia, and is operated in partnership with Electro-Harmonix for seven brands including Sovtek, TungSol, Gold Lion, EH Gold and Mullard. Prices for popular 12AX7, EL34 and 6L6/5881 derivatives have skyrocketed since the Russian invasion of the Ukraine, with most 12AX7 preamp tubes currently at $50-52 each.

The other remaining factory is in Slovakia where JJ tubes are made. 12AX7/ECC83 tubes have gone up, but are currently at $20/ea. Of course if Russia were ever to try to invade Slovakia, all bets would be off. though a fire or other costly event would more be a more likely end for JJ's operations.

Less than 20 years ago, there were four plants - Shugang, Winged-C/Svetlana (St Petersburg Russia - also possible victim of a fire, though never confirmed), and JJ (Slovakia), and Electro-Harmonix (Saratov Russia).

 

[Patrice B]

There are a lot of good options in headphones these days. If you're into vintage, there are some that can sound fantastic through your old tube amps -- track down a set of AKG K240 Sextettes. Sextette was a speaker design used in a few different AKG headphone models in the mid to late 1970s; the easiest to find and probably best sounding were the K240. Keep in mind that most K240 phones are not Sextettes.

For your phone I'm not up on what's currently good in IEMs but you should be able to get some very good sounding items for $100 or less. Etymotic and Shure make IEMs more expensive than that but are guaranteed to be reliable, sound excellent, and can be upgraded later with custom ear molds for better comfort and noise isolation. (I've found IEMs that I like years ago and stopped paying attention to what's come out since, so there are probably other really great options.)

DM me if you want more suggestions, since this is probably not the best comment thread for headphone talk.

I gave my GF BeyerDynamics Soul Byrd in-ears three years ago for her birthday but she doesn’t like them. I’m not fond myself of IEM’s and vastly prefer over the ear cans. The Grado’s and the DT 770 Pro are plenty sufficient but like I said, I rarely listen music with headphones. Thanks for the suggestions about the AKG though!

 

[Patrice B]

There are two remaining active audio tube manufacturing plants in the world since the Shugang plant in China burned.

One is in Saratov, Russia, and is operated in partnership with Electro-Harmonix for seven brands including Sovtek, TungSol, Gold Lion, EH Gold and Mullard. Prices for popular 12AX7, EL34 and 6L6/5881 derivatives have skyrocketed since the Russian invasion of the Ukraine, with most 12AX7 preamp tubes currently at $50-52 each.

The other remaining factory is in Slovakia where JJ tubes are made. 12AX7/ECC83 tubes have gone up, but are currently at $20/ea. Of course if Russia were ever to try to invade Slovakia, all bets would be off. though a fire or other costly event would more be a more likely end for JJ's operations.

Less than 20 years ago, there were four plants - Shugang, Winged-C/Svetlana (St Petersburg Russia - also possible victim of a fire, though never confirmed), and JJ (Slovakia), and Electro-Harmonix (Saratov Russia).

There is also Psvane, lesser known but they mainly target hifi enthusiasts with a lot of money… I don’t know if their facilities are as big as Saratov plant and JJ?

 

[Lance Bunyon]

Every time I need a re-tube (which is not that often). I call Tube Depot and ask "what's an economical re-tube for this amp?". I've never been a tube roller (except by demand when I had a microphonic or failed preamp tube) and had to resort to GC to get my amp at least functional. At which point I simply bought the most economical 12ax7 and popped it in.
I've seen threads online where tube enthusiasts discuss NOS RCA for well over $100 per tube. Seems like maybe these people have too much money or I don't have a golden enough ear...

 

[coreyfyfe]

There are two remaining active audio tube manufacturing plants in the world since the Shugang plant in China burned.

One is in Saratov, Russia, and is operated in partnership with Electro-Harmonix for seven brands including Sovtek, TungSol, Gold Lion, EH Gold and Mullard. Prices for popular 12AX7, EL34 and 6L6/5881 derivatives have skyrocketed since the Russian invasion of the Ukraine, with most 12AX7 preamp tubes currently at $50-52 each.

The other remaining factory is in Slovakia where JJ tubes are made. 12AX7/ECC83 tubes have gone up, but are currently at $20/ea. Of course if Russia were ever to try to invade Slovakia, all bets would be off. though a fire or other costly event would more be a more likely end for JJ's operations.

Less than 20 years ago, there were four plants - Shugang, Winged-C/Svetlana (St Petersburg Russia - also possible victim of a fire, though never confirmed), and JJ (Slovakia), and Electro-Harmonix (Saratov Russia).

There is also Psvane, lesser known but they mainly target hifi enthusiasts with a lot of money… I don’t know if their facilities are as big as Saratov plant and JJ?

Psvane and Linlai.

Psvane has been around longer and has product on the market. Linlai has few tube styles for the MI market (mostly hifi) but are apparently working towards new product lines. Their 6SN7 and 6SL7 are likely the only common guitar amp tube type, but they’re audiophile priced.

PSVANE贵族之声官方网站

LINLAI™ Global Vacuum Tubes – [Official English Website for Worldwide Audiophiles]

 

[Patrice B]

Psvane and Linlai.

Psvane has been around longer and has product on the market. Linlai has few tube styles for the MI market (mostly hifi) but are apparently working towards new product lines. Their 6SN7 and 6SL7 are likely the only common guitar amp tube type, but they’re audiophile priced.

PSVANE贵族之声官方网站

LINLAI™ Global Vacuum Tubes – [Official English Website for Worldwide Audiophiles]

Do you know which factory is responsible for the TAD red base tubes?

TAD EL34 - STR REDBASE TAD PREMIUM Selected

 

[coreyfyfe]

Do you know which factory is responsible for the TAD red base tubes?

TAD EL34 - STR REDBASE TAD PREMIUM Selected

As far as I know Psvane