Tube Costs

[Bernard]

I had a tube die in one of my monoblocks, so went to my usual online store (partsconnexion) to buy a matched pair. They sell them for U.S. $70/matched pair, but they are out of stock. I checked a couple of other online stores and saw prices between $65 and $90 per matched pair. These were all SED Winged C 6550s.

I then called a store in Montreal, who had them, and was quoted a price of $104 EACH ! When I asked why they were so expensive, I was told that they get their tubes from Audio Research. Supposedly ARC has a very rigorous selection process, and they discard a large number, so that is why they are so expensive.

 

[Jeff Zaret]

I know Conrad Johnson sells the 6550 "Winged" C also. These are the Svetlana brand and they are good tubes. You might also check Audiogon


Jeff

 

[FISH_MAN]

. Supposedly ARC has a very rigorous selection process, and they discard a large number, so that is why they are so expensive.

sounds like BS to me Bernard I think some places try to rip you off every chance they get.

 

[Bernard]

sounds like BS to me Bernard I think some places try to rip you off every chance they get.

I did hear elsewhere that retubing by ARC is very expensive. As well, the guy did tell me that I could get the same tube elsewhere for about 1/4 the price; it's actually about 1/3.

 

[Brad225]

ARC apparently does extensive testing of the tubes they sell. There is quite a lot on Audio Asylum on the pros and cons of their tubes because of cost.
I recently priced tube replacement for my VTM 200 amps. Jim McShane's (very honest tube provider) price was approx $900 ARC was just under $2000.
That is not to say that ARC doesn't provide tubes that are possibly more closely matched under more stringent testing but that is a large difference.
If you purchase tubes from ARC and have a problem with them or your equipment, from what I have read they are more than likely to work with you on repairs.
I have not decided but based of previous dealings with Jim I may lean that way.

 

[Bernard]

If you purchase tubes from ARC and have a problem with them or your equipment, from what I have read they are more than likely to work with you on repairs.

I purchased my tubes from Parts Connexion, here in Canada. When one failed, a few months after the warranty expired, they sold me a replacement at 25% off, though they were in no way obligated to do so. I sent them the working one and they matched it. They have proven to be a great company to deal with. Unfortunately they are out of the SEDs right now.

 

[zaphod]

www.thetubestore.com - in Hamilton ON. really good people, been buying tubes there for years.

http://thetubestore.com/6550c.html

$89 in stock.

 

[Bernard]

www.thetubestore.com - in Hamilton ON. really good people, been buying tubes there for years.

http://thetubestore.com/6550c.html

$89 in stock.

A bit more expensive than The Tube Depot ($65) and Parts Connexion ($70).

 

[zaphod]

A bit more expensive than The Tube Depot ($65) and Parts Connexion ($70).

but same side of the border, and in stock

 

[Jeff Zaret]

CJ does the same as ARC and tests the tubes so there are no bad ones in the bunch. They will meet a certain spec or they are not sold through CJ but sold off to a distributor. If there is a problem with one they do stand behind the. I had an issue with a 6550 Svetlana Winged C which was replaced no questions ask and it sounded fine when I got it.

When my last amp was there for a repair they checked it all out and just didn't like the way a couple of tubes were performing so they replaced them. This is not what it was there for but they wanted the unit to perform as spec'd. I believe the extra is worth it in this case.

Just my opinion



Jeff

 

[kach22i]

www.thetubestore.com - in Hamilton ON. really good people, been buying tubes there for years.

http://thetubestore.com/6550c.html

$89 in stock.

I bought my EL-34 Tung-Sol's from them, good service.

 

[tonepub]

sounds like BS to me Bernard I think some places try to rip you off every chance they get.

Because of the way many of the ARC tube amplifiers are biased, (The VT 100, VT200, Classic 120, Classic 150,etc.) they have one bias control to adjust the current on a bank of 8 tubes.

This requires careful matching of the tubes so that one bias adjustment can cover them all.

If your tube amplifier has individual bias adjustments for the output tubes, you probably don't need to spend the money on a matched quad or octet from ARC. But matching em that close does take a lot of time, so I'm sure they are charging accordingly.

Depends on your amp!

 

[amey01]

When I retubed my Copland recently (preamp) - in which I have matched tubes I might add, but the cost was minimal - the guy in the hi-fi shop laughed when I suggested matched and said that all the new valves coming out are made to such high tolerances that there is just absolutely no point.

Not sure whether he is right or wrong, but as you can see, I didn't take the chance on that advice.

 

[JonFo]

Hum, let's see, my tube costs for the past 35 years in this hobby: $0

Sorry, couldn't resist :devil:

 

[Bernard]

Ignorance is bliss ?

Sorry, couldn't resist :devil:

 

[amey01]

Hum, let's see, my tube costs for the past 35 years in this hobby: $0

Sorry, couldn't resist :devil:

......and your panel replacement costs have been? Box speakers are just so much easier to live with!

Sorry - couldn't resist either :devil:

 

[MPS]

Hum, let's see, my tube costs for the past 35 years in this hobby: $0

Sorry, couldn't resist :devil:

This I've been told before: "To get sum, ya gonna hav to pay sum."