Russian Tube Preamp, No Return, Here I go again

the Russian 6N4P tube is not available here. they say no hum.

I asked seller for price of spare, but unfortunately he had already shipped the preamp, and he says EMS minimum cost is $40. if I buy just the tube.

Knowing that, IMO, they should include a spare.

They say substitute is 12AY7, while checking I see a lot of 'they hum' comments.

Some suggested use 12AV7, lower gain, less/no hum.

maybe I should buy half a dozen, sell some on eBay to offset the high shipping cost. I wonder how many people want 6n4p's?

Thoughts, ideas______?

Problem is, we’re just as cheap as you are.

therefore, even if it is a good deal at $15-20 each, timely delivered, we still see it on eBay for $5 but in Russia... and grind out teeth that we can’t get it for that.... and we just sit there, lost in the fuzzy grey colored morass of our own cheapassness vs the need for the tube.

not to worry, someone will get us off the itchy undefined squirmy stewing pot of our own design...  

Oh! none available.,... time to back to eBay and just stare, wondering why 30+ day chancy delivery can't somehow transform into $1.98 overnight delivery

Tubes do not inherently "hum", unless a particular tube has a defect that causes hum.  Circuits in which we place tubes can be prone to hum if not designed properly, and most commonly hum is due to grounding problems. So use whatever is the recommended substitute for the 6N4P and stop worrying about nothing.  12AY7 is also known as 6072.  Both types are thought to be excellent sounding.  Most likely the Russkies copied the 12AY7 (a classic) and re-named it the 6N4P.  Furthermore, you should have a few thousand hours of use ahead of you before you even need to think about replacing tubes.

teo-audio

Who gave you the right to call me cheap?

teo-audio

Perhaps I should have added a smiley face.

I’m an Interior Designer, specializing in Corporate Office Space. After a client meeting, I came back to the office, told Betty the head of the Furniture and Decorating department: "The client want’s cheaper furniture". I can still see Betty’s eyelids flapping as she replied: "We don’t offer cheap furniture, I will find some ’less costly’ choices.

I love a bargain, sometimes the luck of a bargain is a big part of truly enjoying something each time I use it!

I make my own speaker cables to save money to be sure, but primarily because I would feel foolish if I didn’t, and I would deprive myself the accomplishment.

I paid a pro to replace the cones in my 15" woofer's, the first time. Next time, I risked doing it myself. Bingo, another accomplishment, and when my old Velodyne sub's surround rotted, I knew I could do with confidence.