Buying hi-fi valves (tubes)

[Cyndale]

Just wondering can anybody recommend websites to look for valves for hi-fi amplifier?

[hudo]

This one is probably most famous for our part of the EU/world:
https://www.watfordvalves.com/

But I had a good experience with:
http://www.electrotubes.com/ (great and fast communication, France, just waiting for matched quad of philips 12au7!)
https://www.langrex.co.uk/ (bought few, one was faulty, they replaced without problems)

And also ebay, but you have to be really careful there.
But not so careful like with some Asian sellers, e.g. http://analogmetric.com/ or aliexpress, ordered 2 or 3 pairs, just 1 pair worked fine, no returns or refunds.

[Cyndale]

Thanks for those links, I was aware of Watford but not the others!

My valve equipment needs...

30 valves for two power amps, 4 for head amp, 6 for preamp = 40 valves in total.

[Ivor]

I've used Watford in the past and they're fine but very much " by the book". I had a tube fail a day or two out of guarantee and they just read me a rule book.

Both Fran and myself have used Jim McShane in the states, he really knows his stuff, is as honest as they proverbial day and his prices are sensible. On the other hand he's a one man operation, he doesn't always have the stock and can, because of the above, take a little longer. He's still my first "port of call" when I need tubes. http://www.mcshanedesign.net/

I avoid sellers that deal in guitar amp tubes, I may be wrong but I suspect they have different priorities over hifi. Of course they can hifi tubes too but be aware.

My valve equipment needs...

30 valves for two power amps, 4 for head amp, 6 for preamp = 40 valves in total.

You'll obviously need the exact models - I expect you'll find duplication across those amps too. Good luck.

[Cyndale]

Thanks for responding, I am pretty well covered for most of them. There are just two that are hard to get... PL519 and EL86. Watford don't have any PL519's.

[Ivor]

Thanks for responding, I am pretty well covered for most of them. There are just two that are hard to get... PL519 and EL86. Watford don't have any PL519's.

Email Jim, very often tubes he has aren't listed on his (very basic!) website. jimmcshane@mcshanedesign.net

If tou go to http://www.mcshanedesign.net/tubes.htm and do "ctrl + f" (find) you'll see he has EL86 there. he also has PL509 but that's probably no good to you.

[Cyndale]

Thanks for responding, I am pretty well covered for most of them. There are just two that are hard to get... PL519 and EL86. Watford don't have any PL519's.

Email Jim, very often tubes he has aren't listed on his (very basic!) website. jimmcshane@mcshanedesign.net

If tou go to http://www.mcshanedesign.net/tubes.htm and do "ctrl + f" (find) you'll see he has EL86 there. he also has PL509 but that's probably no good to you.

Thanks for all the info Ivor! The PL509 is definitely more common. Will check all the websites mentioned. I need to have 4 spare PL519s for both the power amp, I have two to keep me going. I only ever had 3 valves go in all the years using them.

Just one thing a couple of years ago I bought a couple of LPs in the US and about two weekss after I got them, I got a bill for VAT from Fedex the courier company. I didn't have any say in it, because it was Absolute Sounds who used them for me.

If I get the valves (tubes to the US) what is postage and VAT rate like?

[Ivor]

The postage was ok and I've never been hit with excise duties on tubes. FedEx are really strict, I've been hit buyingbvibyl there too. Jim would agree postage etc before sending anything out but excise duty is the US government, not him.

[naasbiker]

I have used CVC Components (formally Chelmer Valve Company) from across the water for replacement 300B;s and others without any issues with postage / packaging etc.

www.cvc-components.com

[Adrian]

I use antique electronic supply in the USA.

Also listed as tubes and more.

They have the 519’s in stock.

https://www.tubesandmore.com/products/4 ... -amplifier

They ship via DHL, and if importing into Ireland you will get for duties etc