DK Design VS- Reference vs Signature

01-22-06: Lrsky
Amperex ECC88/6DJ8, circa 8/1962, New Old Stock, and probably about $250.per pair.

Amperex 6DJ8 Bugle Boy from the early 1960s can be found any given week on E-Bay for around $50/pair. Amperex Orange Globe "O" Getter tubes made in Holland from the same era will run about $65/pair, and Amperex 6922 PQ USA white label will cost between $100-$150/pair, and sometimes less.

I have purchased three matched pairs of Amperex 6922 PQ USA white label tubes in the past year for $80/pair, and they all tested better than new.

It's not clear which Amperex 6DJ8 tubes Lrsky is referring to in his earlier post, but paying $250/pair is unecessary.

Actually saying that 'paying $250 a pair is unnecessary' is somewhat misleading.
Of course one can get poor quality, or what I consider to be throw away Bugle Boy tubes for the prices mentioned, from ebay or many other private sellers.

When buying from an individual, for example, on an ebay sale, one runs the risk of buying from someone who does not have measuring equipment. This could mean that the buyer could easily end up with sub standard tubes.
For example, to be considered an NOS tube, the MCDT must measure at least 65. This, I believe, is the minimum scale measurement to allow them to still qualify as NOS.
I am afraid that some audophiles may think that NOS (new old stock) actually means that the tubes are old but have never been used, which of course is not correct. Tubes can have gone through many hands yet still be worthy of the NOS rating, as calculated from the MCDT. These Amperex I was referring to in my post, in which I was addressing the question of which tubes I like, actually measure at 110/108 respectively. They are 6DGA While Label Tubes, and sound just terrific--that is what I was referring to when I said it was such a wonderful gift, and further that they were worth in the neighborhood of $250. Given their measurements, they could easily sell for that price, and be well worth that amount of money for a discriminating listener.

Actually saying that 'paying $250 a pair is unnecessary' is somewhat misleading. Of course one can get poor quality, or what I consider to be throw away Bugle Boy tubes for the prices mentioned, from ebay or many other private sellers.

Allow me to correct any unclear or somewhat misleading statement.

Here's a quad of excellent quality Amperex 6DJ8 Bugle Boy tubes that all test strong. One day remaining in the E-Bay auction, and they are priced at less than $20/quad.

Now, I suppose it's incumbent upon me to offer apples-to-apples proof that Amperex 6922 PQ USA White label tubes that are tested and guaranteed can be purchased at prices substantially below $250/pair from E-Bay sellers.

Here is a matched quad Amperex 6922 PQ USA White label tubes that I purchased from an E-Bay seller for less than $220/quad ($110/pair) that measure 101/101, 100/100, 100/100 and 102/102. These are excellent tubes with outstanding test measurements that were offered with a return guarantee by the seller.

I have purchased other tubes off E-Bay that were offered with test measurements and with return privileges. None of these tubes have been anything other than tested, excellent quality, and far from throw away.

I stand firm on my point that one does not have to pay $250/pair for excellent quality vintage Amperex 6922 PQ tubes, but one certainly has that option.

Buy from whomever makes you comfortable.

Its not life or death. Its only money and more can be had. Tom

Larry, thanks you very much....You have a lovely product and I am one satisfied customer. I really love the way this amp sound. Another question, Can you please give me instruction on how to install it. One thing I know for sure is I will have it unplug when I install it. I am assuming the only thing I have to do is disconnect the top of the amp with an alley wrench. Once disconnected the amp, remove the tube then put the other in the same way I took the other out, right? Is there anything elso I am missing.