What happened to Ei?

ei tanked years ago. too bad because their kt90 were the bomb in a pair of cary monos i used to own.

The US (NATO) bombed the factory a few years back.

We were still able to get EI tubes 2 years ago, but they don't /didn't really make anything we use but 12AT7s.

So when the factory blew up was it warmer sounding then most explosions? ;)

EI stopped production around July/August of 2006 as best I can tell.

The plant was not bombed in a NATO, or any other, action according to people on the net who live in and/or visit the area.

I've read that it was destroyed, partialy destroyed and/or "lightly bombed" but someone @ Audio Asylum posted post rumor pics of the building (looked fine) and I'll go with that.

Western Electric purchased a part or all (this is not clear) of their assets, per a statement on the WE website.

QC was poor the last year plus of production so I'm leary of buying stock that shows up from time to time in the event that it's dregs/poor QC stuff. I liked their pre-elite EL84's (not familiar with the tubes you seek).

A recent September 2007 blurb @ the 6 Moons review site mentions that EI is regrouping for further production runs (think I read the same a year ago).