Tír Na HiFi

It seems Fran is right about X Music not having those babies (I never doubted him!) http://www.xmusic.ie/Valves-Tubes-p-1-c-580.html but they might be able to source them for you.

So, I've ordered the EF184 valves from some French place on eBay. I've no idea whether they're any good, but it seems that it's NOS or nothing for this valve and there were some silly prices around. If these don't work, at least they were less than a fiver each.

As for the 6922s, the more I read the sillier it got. In the end I hit the middle ground and ordered some Genalex Gold Lion from Jim McShane. They were his recommendation, and that tallies with what I'd read this afternoon on various forums. While they're a bit pricey, they're meant to be as close as you can get to the classic Amperex etc without entering into silly money. Still, it's enough that I expect to get nabbed by customs...

Diapason wrote:So, I've ordered the EF184 valves from some French place on eBay. I've no idea whether they're any good, but it seems that it's NOS or nothing for this valve and there were some silly prices around. If these don't work, at least they were less than a fiver each.

As for the 6922s, the more I read the sillier it got. In the end I hit the middle ground and ordered some Genalex Gold Lion from Jim McShane. They were his recommendation, and that tallies with what I'd read this afternoon on various forums. While they're a bit pricey, they're meant to be as close as you can get to the classic Amperex etc without entering into silly money. Still, it's enough that I expect to get nabbed by customs...

you should be okay for customs, as the intrinsic value, assuming you ordered 4 is less than 150€, not 100% on the VAT applicable to electronic parts, and you definitely breach the 22€ de minimis limit....

that said my pair of vifa tweeters at 160 landed without a peep!

Well, fingers crossed but it will be a fair cop if I'm stung for it. Will be interested to find out if I hear any difference.

If he is sending them by USPS (NOT UPS) then you will probably be OK and fly under the radar.

Otherwise, you will pay full VAT on the cost of the valves + shipping, + duty (usually not much) + An Posts 6.50 handling charge.

They usually now look for a paypal invoice or similar to find out the charges.


No charges for anything coming from within the EU.


Good luck and keep the fingers crossed!!

A bit too late back to this post but cryoset.com is the link.Ron Sheldon is the guy and I found his prices for Gold lions very good. Croyoed for a little less than 'ordinary' Gold lion KT88's from uk sources. As Fran sayes USPS and hope it flies under the radar.

I actually found the cryoset site but to be honest with you, having contacted Jim McShane and getting a very speedy response and the promise of good service, I thought I'd do the decent thing and spend the bit extra to give him the business. I could have saved even more by going for eBay for those valves, and I was on the point of doing just that, but I'm happy enough with the decision. At least I'm confident they won't be duds as he tests them himself.

The EF184s on the other hand... Who knows?!

Diapason wrote:I actually found the cryoset site but to be honest with you, having contacted Jim McShane and getting a very speedy response and the promise of good service, I thought I'd do the decent thing and spend the bit extra to give him the business. I could have saved even more by going for eBay for those valves, and I was on the point of doing just that, but I'm happy enough with the decision. At least I'm confident they won't be duds as he tests them himself.

The EF184s on the other hand... Who knows?!

I know the feeling I got good info from Jim also and it kind of pushes you to buy from him. The problem is I think he sends it UPS and that increase the chance of taxes. I was also enquiring about nos valves and the prices with the fear of duty put me off.

He's sending it USPS, but it has a tracking number so I dunno what'll happen when it gets here. Anyway, it's only an occasional thing, as I don't think I'll be going down the route of tube rolling. It's all well and good if you can head to a dusty electronics store and root through a few boxes, but the prices online have gone bananas and I've no interest.

Valves from the US arrived. Can't fault the speedy delivery, but I could have done without the €44.19 customs charge. Oh well, they should last me a while anyway.

Hopefully the eBay selection will arrive soon and I can get back to heating the room while listening to music.