Have you ever purchased (1) one or more "NEW" ( not NOS ) replacement vacuum tubes; - - especially POWER TUBES ? How satisfied were you of the results and especially, the seller ? Something I thought it important to share; - - - - I too have bought many tubes from dealers in the USA; - - especially UPSCALE AUDIO. =Though I've read that an occasional buyer was less than thrilled for one reason or another, UPSCALE, in my opinion is the most reliable source anywhere. The reasons why can be easily determined by visiting their website, and read what KEVIN has to say. Be it said, that this is merely a preface, and not a advertisement for UPSCALE.
In writing this, what my purpose is, to put forth a WARNUNG !
Recently I was looking for a "NEW" matched quad of KT88's at a good price. In doing so I became lured to CHINA websites. In particular,
"CHINA-HI-FI.COM" Seemingly a well established seller of many brands of CHINESE made audio gear including vacuum tubes. In scanning through their offerings I came across a listing of a matched quad of SHU-GUANG "TREASURE" KT88-Z tubes. A brand I have used in the past, successfully. The price was right so I went ahead with the purchase.
Just recently, I had occasion to test the tubes, prior to installation. "OH MY GOD". I couldn't believe what I was seeing, and decided to go to a good tech in Chicago to verify. I wasn't wrong !! All four tubes were defective in various ways. Gassy, extremely low output, shorts, etc. In other words they were all reject "junk". So, I contacted the seller in China, and notified him of my findings. It took a while for a response. He wanted pictures. Then the usual rhetoric !! I asked him for an immediate refund, "NOT REPLACEMENTS". As I should have expected, he went silent on me. Frankly, I am of the opinion that he knew he was selling me defective tubes. Otherwise, you would think that at least one of the four would have tested good.
So at this point all I can do for my fellow audiophiles is send out a warning about CHINA-HI-FI.COM. If this is an example of how they do business,- - -
well, you get the idea.
