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Where do I Go for Tubes now that Brent Jessee has Closed Shop?

I've been buying tubes from Brent for many years. I am now looking for 12AX7 tubes as back up for the tubes I now have in my 80s preamps (ARC SP-6B and the rare Paragon System "E"). Since I only use the phono section of these, I'll need 3 tubes for the SP-6B and four for the "E".  I'm most interested in the Amperex and Mullard brands. I like a warm, full-bodied sound. I detest any and all sibilance.

I completely missed his closing. So now where do I go?

I've looked at the SND and vacuumtubes.net. These seem to have most reasonable prices. Are they legit? I will not buy from eBay.

What are other well-regarded vendors?

My sincere apologies if this duplicates an existing thread.

kevemaher
bigfishhk
13 posts
 

Andy @ Vintage Tube Services, a second to none. For new production the Rays tubes have been excellent.

jayctoy's avatar
jayctoy
4,635 posts
 

Viva tubes oh no , I will never never buy from them.

psbcity
3 posts
 

Go to eBay. They have dependable Mullard 12ax7 vendors that have fair pricing.

kevemaher's avatar
kevemaher OP
400 posts
 

@psbcity 

Thanks for your post.

You are the first person to recommend tube purchase on eBay! How do you avoid being ripped off? Do you have vendors that you've purchased from that are honest about age, usage, abuse, NOS vs ANOS, etc...

If one can trust some vendors on eBay this opens a whole source for NOS tubes.

But I'm still wary. I have had my share of awful eBay transactions. 

goodlistening64
411 posts
 

The tube buyers I have purchased from on ebay have obviously sold many of them and have pro equipment and 100% feedback. Probably near ten pairs without issue.

Sure is a lot cheaper. 

There is a ton of tubes worldwide, but not real easy or smart to deal with international dealers, right now. Every ebay purchase I have made for 12au7 tubes has been US stateside.

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