I wholeheartedly second all of the above suggestions. Not meaning to trash other tube sellers on the 'Gon or on e-bay, there are tubesellers on the net that are quite disreputable, selling fakes, relabeled tubes, used to death tubes, and the like, posing them as NOS or "matched". I recommend that you have access to or own for yourself a good tube tester before buying tubes in this fashion. Tubes with shorts can damage your equipment (don't use your amp as a tube tester!). Some individuals on the net will buy good tubes from one of the reputable venders, use them for 6-12 months or so, then put them back in their orignal boxes and advertise them with the test numbers from when they bought them. In short, beware.
New to tube rolling, where to purchase tubes?
I have always been more of an SS guy but now have a Monarchy DAC24 with a tube stage. (run through Ayre AX7e and GMA speakers). I am not crazy about the sound of the tube stage now (too euphonic) but imagine with the right tubes, I might find a good match for the Ayre and get a "rounder" sound. At least, reading the tube roller forums seems to indicate that might be true.
The tube stage has a pair of Phillips 6dj8s. I would like to try some different tubes to see what effect it has but would prefer not to spend a ton at first and have no idea where to buy tubes without getting ripped off.
Questions:
1. who are reputable dealers for tubes?
2. would I hear a difference if I spent $100 on a pair of older matsushitas or must I spend a bunch on vintage amperex to get a significant change in tone?
thanks.
The tube stage has a pair of Phillips 6dj8s. I would like to try some different tubes to see what effect it has but would prefer not to spend a ton at first and have no idea where to buy tubes without getting ripped off.
Questions:
1. who are reputable dealers for tubes?
2. would I hear a difference if I spent $100 on a pair of older matsushitas or must I spend a bunch on vintage amperex to get a significant change in tone?
thanks.