Who's the best NOS tube dealer's?

Gregg Levy "Hi Test" no question.

 

Greg's one of the best

 

i like Mike at KCANOSTubes.com and I also like Doug at dougstubes.com, although Mike usually seems to have more of a selection of NOS tubes.

 

I have bought quite a few tubes from him. He is honest, ships stuff pretty fast. He stands behind his products, I had a small problem one time on a nos tube I bought and he fixed me right up. Highly recommended.

Tim

 

Ya beat me to the punch.I always really enjoy working with Greg.
Greg's more like my nos advisor. He does it full time,his prices are great,and his inventory is HUGE!
I've delt with a lot of nos tube dealers,Greg's been the most knowlegable,not just brand type stuff,but actual HANDS ON!
That's the main difference and the clincher for me.He'll continue to get all my nos buz.

 

Gregg Levy at High test
Mike at KCA NOS Tubes
(Willie) Lord Valve NBS Electronics
Charlie at Vacuum Tube Valley

 

I have bought from KCA a few times and Mike is great.

Levy was highly reccomended to me by a pal, I called him once and we shot the sheet for a while, very nice VERY knowledgable guy with a small arsenal of NOS tubes.

Some of the best deals can be had here in the ads and sometimes on fleebay but that is always a risk.

The thing to keep in mind is that not all NOS tubes sound great in all circuits. We have been doing blind test for the past 3 weeks in my Germino, Top Hat and Dr.Z and sometimes you can be surprised.
ALSO, it is often a combination of tubes that will get your nipples poppin.

Find a friend that has a collection and start experimenting with your rig with you playing, that is the best way to do it.

Levy will tune your amp with you playing it but he charges a fee for this service.

FWIW in my experience with NOS tubes you can not go wrong with Mullard, Telefunken and Amperex, that is for 12AX7's.
They may not all work in V1 but they will shine somewhere that is for sure.
Nothing like giving the amp an NOS enema I always say.

 

blue strat (Mike at KCA) is my numero uno for tubes, both NOS and new manufacture.

 

I have been very happy with KCA. Mike is super to deal with, patient, thoughtful and helpful in his replies.


Occasionally I have bought from Doug at Doug's Tube and he has been great as well.

And Orlando - who sells tubes occasionally on this Forum is wonderful too!

-- Barr

 

+1 on both counts . I was totally underwhelmed by GT's 12AX "Mullard reissue " until I tried it with a Brimar 6v6 . That combo in the 5F2 Allen I built was "get a room" .

 

+1 for Mike at kcanostubes.com

Super nice and very helpful...

 

Yep, Mike K at KCA is one of the best if not the best.