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Buying tubes...do they vary???

Been posting about degrading tubes. Thinking I'm in need of new.

Sites like thetubestore.com and the tubedepot.com are out there. I spotted Electro-Harmonix 6550 tubes on thetubedepot.com. By name these are the same as the ones I have in my Conrad Johnson Premier 12 mono block power amps that Conrad Johnson sold me.

Would they perform just the same? You would think so but perhaps I'm missing something. Also, a suggestion of where to buy replacements would be greatly appreciated.

Certainly need to get the performance that I got when I bought those Electro-Hamonix from Conrad Johnson at the end of the day...

Thank you!
Randy

rbschauman
facten
931 posts
 
Aside from the Tubedepot 

+1 on Brent Jesse
and will add tctubes, and thetubestore
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
2,678 posts
 
They are the same tubes and will perform the same!
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
1,457 posts
 

Another recommendation for the "usual suspects":

Andy Bouwman

Brent Jesse

Jim McShane

TC Tubes

elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
Every single tube made, even in the same batch can be different.
They may be noisier than the one made just before it, or quieter.
One may last ten years, the other die in three weeks.
The only real way to get matching tubes it to have the dealer do the matching, or you do the matching.
To me, tubes variability is the main problem with owning tubed equipment!
Then you get into NOS where the stock ALL used, just not worn out.

When you have some wonderful tubes, then dread the day you have to find some more... And nothing is nearly as good.
Jut saying plenty of reason to just buy solid state. LOL (kidding)
cleeds
2,065 posts
 
elizabeth
Then you get into NOS where the stock ALL used, just not worn out.
Oh no, not if the product is properly labelled. NOS means "New Old Stock," not "slightly used old stock."
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