Best Tube Distributor?

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Aristocat

Aristocat

Well-known member
I've been out of the amp game for a couple of years and just grabbed a used BE100.

While I usually run Tung Sols and Ruby AC5's in Friedman amps, I can't find Ruby's anywhere.

Where are you guys getting your tubes these days. And what's a good replacement for the Ruby AC5's?
 
Welcome back to the fold :cheers:

I have zero experience with the tubes you are after but I see Doug's Tubes has/had them so that's my rec.

Doug ships fast and provides text updates if you need them. Also ask him what he recommends. He turned me onto the Phillips 5751 and that Penta Labs 9th Gen Chinese (I wouldn't have bought otherwise) :D

Don't forget, Ruby is rebranded something else so if you can figure out who made/makes the actuals, that may increase you options/knowledge.

"The Ruby 12AX7AC5 HG High Grade tube is the Shuguang 12AX7 9th gen tube. These are a very consistently made tube, sweet sounding, and very warm."
 
311splawndude said:
Welcome back to the fold :cheers:

I have zero experience with the tubes you are after but I see Doug's Tubes has/had them so that's my rec.

Doug ships fast and provides text updates if you need them. Also ask him what he recommends. He turned me onto the Phillips 5751 and that Penta Labs 9th Gen Chinese (I wouldn't have bought otherwise) :D

Don't forget, Ruby is rebranded something else so if you can figure out who made/makes the actuals, that may increase you options/knowledge.

"The Ruby 12AX7AC5 HG High Grade tube is the Shuguang 12AX7 9th gen tube. These are a very consistently made tube, sweet sounding, and very warm."
Click to expand...

Yeah he came up after a couple Google searches. I was hoping Valve Queen was still a thing but jt looks like she closed down the business.

I'm definitely going Mullard reissues or Tung Sols and then probably Svetlana 34s. Always liked those PTs
 
i switched from Dougs to Antique Electronic Supply for my tubes. They have Apex matched power tubes and all the usual suspects for most tubes. Satisfied customer. But for JJ tubes I always go Eurotubes.
 
I've bought from Doug's in the past with no issues. Also Eurotubes if getting JJs.

Lately I've been buying from Nesstone, Viva Tubes and Tubesforamps and had good experiences from all.
 
I've had good luck with Dougs and Tubedepot in the past but its been several years since I've purchased and new tubes.
 
best tube distributor? whoever sells the cheapest. Zero value in all this tube testing, especially for 12ax7s. If they work, you are good. Any new tube will make you say wow, especially if you have dying tubes. Don’t pay more for snake oil, IMO.
 
For JJ's Eurotubes,
I like Dougs better than the TubeDepot, I just got an order in from them and it took 3 weeks to get here.
I just bought a bunch of tubes from "Audio Tubes Direct" on Reverb and they had good prices and shipped really fast. they have a pretty good selection too
 
Mullard reissues are hard to beat for marshalls and the like
 
I was looking at the tube store as I've used them in the past but Mojotone had a good deal on TAD EL34 B-STRs so I couldn't pass them up.

So everything should be here Thursday in time for the snow storm lol.
 
Amplified Parts.

Apex matched/ burned in power tubes are the closest matched I’ve come across.

Tube Depot is also good with prices and matching.
 
I used Magic Parts for Ruby Tubes. They were always pretty reliable in the past.
 
Anyone like a slight mismatch, say 5 to 10 ma, to get more even order harmonics via asymmetrical clipping?
 
Up north of the border I use The Tube Store. Their service and selection are solid.
 
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