Show us your tubes

[DT999]

16 minutes ago, xlr8or said:

 

The 2nd one with the B2C1 code was made in the 1st week of March 1962. The other one I am not sure about. It could be April 1961 production. The internal construction suggests it's April 1959 production. That "1" may have been a "9", but has been smeared off. In 1961, Mullard had moved to a 4-digit code.

Thanks.  I might get out my usb microscope later and see if I can get a decent picture of the f31 code

[DT999]

Best shot I could get of the f31 code

[xlr8or]

49 minutes ago, DT999 said:

Best shot I could get of the f31 code

 

April 1961 production confirmed.

[Jehuty]

Philips EL34 single O getter with XF3 B4A3 code, now hunting another 3 to make a quad 

 

 

Edited May 18, 2022 by Jehuty

[Guest crankit]

New Linlai E-6SN7 in the gain stage between NOS Sylvania 5687

The Linlai really lifted a veil

 

 

 

 

[Jehuty]

56 minutes ago, crankit said:

New Linlai E-6SN7 in the gain stage between NOS Sylvania 5687

The Linlai really lifted a veil

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for sharing about the Linlai, I am getting more and more confident in Linlai. What amp/preamp is that?

[Guest crankit]

55 minutes ago, Jehuty said:

 

Thanks for sharing about the Linlai, I am getting more and more confident in Linlai. What amp/preamp is that?

 

Yea same, the lift in tone is subtle but its there and I find compliments NOS in the mix rather than taking away or overstating above NOS SQ wise

 

The pic is Audio Note kit 1 2A3 power amp

Cheers for asking

 

With preamp

 

 

Edited May 18, 2022 by crankit

[mwhouston]

These are new for me. But I can see one of my “Shu” preamps with these. 
 

https://linlaiglobal.com/index.php/product/linlai-global-elite-e-6sn7-vacuum-tubes-pair-or-single/

 

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/124796899118?chn=ps&_ul=AU&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=705-139619-5960-0&mkcid=2&itemid=124796899118&targetid=1280498558850&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9071252&poi=&campaignid=9772799715&mkgroupid=129538323344&rlsatarget=pla-1280498558850&abcId=578876&merchantid=7364522&gclid=Cj0KCQjwspKUBhCvARIsAB2IYuv2Uf1JElPXYB8ghIZaP2650xlIjH-yVq3OM88880OTv31txZsx-jcaApqHEALw_wcB
 

http://retro-thermionic.blogspot.com/2021/09/shu-cv-181-z-and-golden-dragon-preamp.html
 

[Jehuty]

Or with this baloon rectifier:

https://linlaiglobal.com/index.php/product/linlai-elite-e-274b-vacuum-tube-single/

 

Dang I am so tempted!

 

Edited May 18, 2022 by Jehuty

[RockRolley]

10 minutes ago, mwhouston said:

These are new for me. But I can see one of my “Shu” preamps with these. 
 

https://linlaiglobal.com/index.php/product/linlai-global-elite-e-6sn7-vacuum-tubes-pair-or-single/

 

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/124796899118?chn=ps&_ul=AU&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=705-139619-5960-0&mkcid=2&itemid=124796899118&targetid=1280498558850&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9071252&poi=&campaignid=9772799715&mkgroupid=129538323344&rlsatarget=pla-1280498558850&abcId=578876&merchantid=7364522&gclid=Cj0KCQjwspKUBhCvARIsAB2IYuv2Uf1JElPXYB8ghIZaP2650xlIjH-yVq3OM88880OTv31txZsx-jcaApqHEALw_wcB
 

http://retro-thermionic.blogspot.com/2021/09/shu-cv-181-z-and-golden-dragon-preamp.html
 

Maybe I’ll have to give it a go in my new ‘Shu’

[Guest crankit]

Longevity gets thrown around a lot or maybe just a brand IDK

But if or when it happens until then...

Who cares  

[BLAH BLAH]

8 hours ago, Jehuty said:

Or with this baloon rectifier:

https://linlaiglobal.com/index.php/product/linlai-elite-e-274b-vacuum-tube-single/

 

Dang I am so tempted!

 

Be tempted!

Afterwards tell us all about whether the 'tempt' was worth it...

[mwhouston]

I may have the largest collection of working and matched Cunningham and RCA UX-171a (71a) tubes in the Southern Hemisphere, arr.. OK Southern Oz. These tubes started out cheap years ago when i bought my first few pairs. Just paid $90 for one Cunningham. The new tube didn’t work at first until i buffed the pins. All good now. 
 

 

 

 

Edited May 19, 2022 by mwhouston

[mwhouston]

1 hour ago, mwhouston said:

I may have the largest collection of working and matched Cunningham and RCA UX-171a (71a) tubes in the Southern Hemisphere, arr.. OK Southern Oz. These tubes started out cheap years ago when i bought my first few pairs. Just paid $90 for one Cunningham. The new tube didn’t work at first until i buffed the pins. All good now. 
 

 

 

 

Yes quoting myself. Should add another pair just went out with a finished amp. That would have made four matched pairs. I think I may have won a hat or a T shirt or something for the most 71a in a builtup area. 

Edited May 19, 2022 by mwhouston

[Bassline Junkie]

Popped a pair of Linlai 845-DGs in today. No loose parts, red-plating, blue glow or screeching through the speakers, so we’re off to a good start!
 

Unlike other 845s I’ve tried, these sound sweet straight out of the box. Looking forward to hearing them fully broken in. The tubes themselves are large and feel weighty and well constructed. They run slightly cooler than others (that’s a plus), and they kick out plenty of glow (gotta love a bit of glow, right?)

[dwbasement]

4 minutes ago, Bassline Junkie said:

Popped a pair of Linlai 845-DGs in today. No loose parts, red-plating, blue glow or screeching through the speakers, so we’re off to a good start!
 

Unlike other 845s I’ve tried, these sound sweet straight out of the box. Looking forward to hearing them fully broken in. The tubes themselves are large and feel weighty and well constructed. They run slightly cooler than others (that’s a plus), and they kick out plenty of glow (gotta love a bit of glow, right?)

Are they from Linlai Global or the aftermarket linlai?

[Bassline Junkie]

21 minutes ago, dwbasement said:

Are they from Linlai Global or the aftermarket linlai?

Not direct from Linlai. May the lord forgive me for my sins 

[dwbasement]

31 minutes ago, Bassline Junkie said:

Not direct from Linlai. May the lord forgive me for my sins 

Well, good to hear that they sing well. I just ordered a pair of aftermarket 2A3C too.  Finger crossed 

[xlr8or]

9 hours ago, mwhouston said:

I may have the largest collection of working and matched Cunningham and RCA UX-171a (71a) tubes in the Southern Hemisphere, arr.. OK Southern Oz. These tubes started out cheap years ago when i bought my first few pairs. Just paid $90 for one Cunningham. The new tube didn’t work at first until i buffed the pins. All good now. 
 

 

 

 

 

My Philco globe matched pair from July 1932 have just arrived. 2 pairs of bluey's are on their way.

 

[mwhouston]

33 minutes ago, xlr8or said:

 

My Philco globe matched pair from July 1932 have just arrived. 2 pairs of bluey's are on their way.

 

Ive been tempted by the blues. But resisted so far. 

[xlr8or]

More photos of the Type 71A's polished and cleaned for 1932 sound. Absolutely magical!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mwhouston]

39 minutes ago, xlr8or said:

More photos of the Type 71A's polished and cleaned for 1932 sound. Absolutely magical!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looks great. 

[Guest crankit]

16 hours ago, xlr8or said:

My Philco globe matched pair from July 1932 have just arrived. 2 pairs of bluey's are on their way.

 

 

 

Your Philco 71A are no question the oldest valves I have seen 

Did Philco have their own tooling at the time or was Sylvania the supplier like Philco Loktals?

 

Great share  

[xlr8or]

4 hours ago, crankit said:

 

Your Philco 71A are no question the oldest valves I have seen 

Did Philco have their own tooling at the time or was Sylvania the supplier like Philco Loktals?

 

Great share  

 

Thanks, Dee. Sylvania made them and Philco rebranded them. This 480 just arrived.

 

 

 

Edited May 20, 2022 by xlr8or

[xlr8or]

More photos of the cleaned and polished DeForest "Audion" 480 rectifier in action with the Philco 71A's. It's a really tall bottle. Can you see it flared up from where you're sitting?