I think, Ypsilon too has in stock NOS Mullards that Dimitris uses.
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This is not about retubing what I have now, I don't have tube equipment, this is about possible future upgrades. I suppose, best tubes is a significant part of the cost, and I am talking high level components. Not interested in mid-level something tube equipment.
And NOS tubes are old stock, prices must be going up and availability down. Say, $15k - $20k used tube equipment could cost double that within ten years of ownership, or what ? Yes yes, it depends on particular equipment and tubes, hours of play and stand by, pure luck and maybe other things. Still, should cost a lot for an all tube system even if not the double. |
That's what I would want to avoid - "stupid money". Now, if , as an example, $1500 pair tubes sound best and last me for 10 years that's not what I would call that.
Would you say, generally speaking, that if I listen for 500 hours a year, all tube equipment, the cost of tubes should not exceed $1000 per year ? It would still be $10k for ten years. |
Perhaps I would not "base" my buying decision on that but it sure would be a significant contributing factor. Even more than the cost, unless it is truly "stupid", though I would not enjoy getting used tubes instead of new and having to run around the globe just to get some of those Mullards and Telefunkens after couple of months of the hunting expedition. Tube rolling may be fun but chasing them is not. |
Analogluvr, I agree, or I wouldn't even be thinking about tube equipment, especially power amps. But I also value dynamics and clarity, so all this requires very good tube electronics.
Extra cost is fine, just within reason cost, good things are worth paying for. By doing that you also support those who make those good things. $10k used minimum for the tube equipment if your speakers are efficient enough and room not big. Until I can afford this I will stay with decent ss integrated. |
jond, I don't know. I guess, I would gravitate towards Atma-Sphere, Lamm and possibly Allnic and VAC equipment. Ypsilon would always be out of reach, I think, except maybe used integrated. And I mean Lamm hybrid power amps. |
Glen, this is certainly a good point, I am not sure how to figure it out when it comes to power amps. I would not be concerned much about phono stage and line preamps. Of course, another obvious point is how many tubes you need for a power amp. Tubes in preamp lasting for a decade if you are lucky ? That's great. In any case, I will most likely start with phono preamp, it makes sense to me.
Tom, I heard there is a Navy ship junkyard in Russian Arctic. How do tubes react to cold, by the way ? Maybe Andy knows, about the junkyard I mean, and the cold. I bet he's got an interesting line of work. |
I wonder where they at Tube World and Vintage Tube Services get the tubes, they probably do have to chase them around the globe.
Buying a few sets in advance might be difficult and expensive but good idea if you plan to keep what you have for a long time. Kind of like having a supply of NOS blank tapes.
Aren’t we all becoming prehistoric ? It’s a good pre-history, anyway. |
Well, real audiophiles are not many people, they go the extra mile.
But money is tight these days, anything audio I buy - I have to cut the expenses somewhere else. Still, $300 bottle of French wine once a year is something that I can do. |
Yes, very good points. I can see that I will have nothing to worry about when it comes to NOS tubes for the phono and preamp. Where you get the tubes is very important. As for the power amps, well, it is going to cost but should be worth it.
Thank you everyone. I think, this thread is helpful for anyone considering a big move into the world of tube electronics. |
Isn't it unfortunate that even premium Western manufacturers are dependent on Chinese and Russian tubes ? To put it another way, if it were not for them we might not see VAC and other equipment except for some very expensive pieces with NOS tubes. Not to mention that there are probably many outsourced parts in the equipment. Hell, it's almost like Great Britain that no longer makes steel and matches. What are they doing over there ?
No, I wouldn't buy tubes on ebay, I would buy at reliable places. |
Different tubes with different sound signature. Different coloration ? |
But for me, unless too much, better this kind of coloration than 'coloration by omission '
done by transistor amps. |
