For the audiophiles on the Hide, Western Electric is back.

[Maggot]

Western Electric was the research division of Bell Laboratories. They built the first trans Atlantic phone line operated by vacuum tubes that had to last at least 5 years between servicing. Later they got into theater sound reproduction and high fidelity. They made the finest equipment and tubes in the world. With the advent of solid state they went out of business but are now back. Ive heard and owned their equipment and there is no equal.

Western Electric - Maker of electron tubes and high fidelity​

www.westernelectric.com



Western Electric was established in 1869. It was re-established in 1996 for the exclusive manufacture of electron tubes and high fidelity. Weaved into our story of ...

 

[BytorJr]

Western Electric was the research division of Bell Laboratories. They built the first trans Atlantic phone line operated by vacuum tubes that had to last at least 5 years between servicing. Later they got into theater sound reproduction and high fidelity. They made the finest equipment and tubes in the world. With the advent of solid state they went out of business but are now back. Ive heard and owned their equipment and there is no equal.

Western Electric - Maker of electron tubes and high fidelity​

www.westernelectric.com



Western Electric was established in 1869. It was re-established in 1996 for the exclusive manufacture of electron tubes and high fidelity. Weaved into our story of ...

I'll take 4 of the 97A amplifiers please....ROFL.

 

[diverdon]

Nice, China may hit us with an EMP soon but your vaccume tubes amps will keep on going.

 

[Maggot]

Nice, China may hit us with an EMP soon but your vaccume tubes amps will keep on going.

Ive heard that all the major airports still have vacuum tube back up systems for that very reason.

 

[diverdon]

Ive heard that all the major airports still have vacuum tube back up systems for that very reason.

Doubtful if the systems are operational now, even if they ever had them. No new tubes have been produced for many years, and they are not like transistors they fail pretty often. When not run the RFPAs (radio frequency power amplifers) go out of tune.

As a guy who fixed vaccume tube radios in the service they would need guys like me if they had radios like that. I checked the Fed jobs board a few times. Nada.

 

[Maggot]

Doubtful if the systems are operational now, even if they ever had them. No new tubes have been produced for many years, and they are not like transistors they fail pretty often. When not run the RFPAs (radio frequency power amplifers) go out of tune.

As a guy who fixed vaccume tube radios in the service they would need guys like me if they had radios like that. I checked the Fed jobs board a few times. Nada.

They have huge stocks of them, and they are made to day, mostly by the Russians, Chinese, and some of the higher quality one in Czechoslovakia. The old ones last for years, I have some Sylvania 811 transmitter tubes from 1944 that are better than anything made today. Heres the ones from 1944 and some of my gear. If you know how to work on this stuff you could make a nice living, theres a lot of call for skilled techs to work on vacuum tube gear, Call around to some of the hi fi shops in your area...up state NY York if I remember. Theres a place in Binghamton called Audio classics that specializes in vintage McIntosh stuff. Try them.

 

[Porksboy]

I have some vintage 50's watch testing equipment with tubes in them. Still work all these years later, I just need some typewriter ribbon for the print out. Love the smell of them heating up.

 

[Maggot]

I have some vintage 50's watch testing equipment with tubes in them. Still work all these years later, I just need some typewriter ribbon for the print out. Love the smell of them heating up.

Got any photos?

 

[gibson]

There were thousands and thousands of different tubes made back in the day. I bet there are only hundreds of tubes that are made today. A few years ago I had to buy some 3-500Z tubes for one of my linear amps. It had a pair of Eimac tubes in the there from the 60's that finally had to be replaced. Not because they were weak but because one of them began to flash over. It got gassy from not being used, which these tube need to be used or they get gassy. Fortunately, RF Parts made a deal with Taylor tubes to mfr. 3-500Z's under their brand name. I guess my point is, tubes last decades if not abused. I still have some tubes that, as far as I know, are still original to the 1940's and 50's receivers I have.

I think that is great they are getting back in the business. Hopefully they will get into some of the transmitter tubes like the 8950 that nobody makes anymore.

Tube Flashover for those that do not know what it is, not good.

 

[Maggot]

There were thousands and thousands of different tubes made back in the day. I bet there are only hundreds of tubes that are made today. A few years ago I had to buy some 3-500Z tubes for one of my linear amps. It had a pair of Eimac tubes in the there from the 60's that finally had to be replaced. Not because they were weak but because one of them began to flash over. It got gassy from not being used, which these tube need to be used or they get gassy. Fortunately, RF Parts made a deal with Taylor tubes to mfr. 3-500Z's under their brand name. I guess my point is, tubes last decades if not abused. I still have some tubes that, as far as I know, are still original to the 1940's and 50's receivers I have.

I think that is great they are getting back in the business. Hopefully they will get into some of the transmitter tubes like the 8950 that nobody makes anymore.

Tube Flashover for those that do not know what it is, not good.

LOL, blew the fuse no doubt.

I had one of the Russian crap power tubes in my Fisher 500 that flashed so bad it sucked a cone of glass into the plate. Fortunately I was in the room and got it turned off before it damaged anything. Solid state while convenient just dosent match tubes sonically.

Check out this 1000 watt organ amp.

 

[Maxwell]

Brings me back to my early days of ham radio (ok it was 60 years ago) when I was running Eimac tubes in my amp. Heated my bedroom in the winter. Between 10:00 & 11:00 PM I would get everything fired up & warm. Took the entire neighborhood TV sets out when I transmitted. Even back then everyone loved me.

Maxwell

 

[Alpine 338]

As a kid, I remember taking the tubes from the TV down to the hardware store, where they had a tube checking machine.

I had an old Hallicrafters S-38D SW radio I inherited from my Grandfather. It must have got tossed when we moved?

 

[82HALO]

Worked for Western Electric when I got out of the army for a while then went to college they soon closed after I left!

 

[OldSalty2]

Ya damn nerds may like this youtube channel. Guy knows his shit.

https://m.youtube.com/user/MrCarlsonsLab

 

[Rust]

 

[6.5SH]

View attachment 7589348

Sexy!

 

[Maggot]

View attachment 7589348

Carver?

 

[EddieNFL]

They have huge stocks of them, and they are made to day, mostly by the Russians, Chinese, and some of the higher quality one in Czechoslovakia. The old ones last for years, I have some Sylvania 811 transmitter tubes from 1944 that are better than anything made today. Heres the ones from 1944 and some of my gear. If you know how to work on this stuff you could make a nice living, theres a lot of call for skilled techs to work on vacuum tube gear, Call around to some of the hi fi shops in your area...up state NY York if I remember. Theres a place in Binghamton called Audio classics that specializes in vintage McIntosh stuff. Try them.

Been a minute since I heard someone mention McIntosh.

 

[hunter1959]

still have my Mcintosh Stereo gear, 30 years later, runs like a champ.... in which, you get what you pay for...

 

[Sixfivesavage]

I just got rid of probably half a dozen old radio/record players and 3 or 4 Joe corby pizza boxes full of tubes and a tube tester. I couldn't hardly find anyone to just take it for free so it sat in an inherited house for probably 5 years before someone finally took it.

 

[Maggot]

I just got rid of probably half a dozen old radio/record players and 3 or 4 Joe corby pizza boxes full of tubes and a tube tester. I couldn't hardly find anyone to just take it for free so it sat in an inherited house for probably 5 years before someone finally took it.

If you come by anymore let me know, Ill take them.

 

[PatMiles]

Blue, orange, green, brown, slate?

 

[TripleBull]

I have some Sylvania 811 transmitter tubes from 1944 that are better than anything made today. Heres the ones from 1944 and some of my gear.

I've seen both sides of the coin. I've had Audio Research amps and preamps that were outstanding quality and the tubes were stable. Like decades for preamp tubes and 8 to 10 years for high power amps. I've also had Marshall and Mesa Boogie guitar amps that had to be retubed every 1 to 3 years. Ouch for the Road King retube cost. But dat tone!!!

 

[Jigstick]

 

[Maggot]

I've seen both sides of the coin. I've had Audio Research amps and preamps that were outstanding quality and the tubes were stable. Like decades for preamp tubes and 8 to 10 years for high power amps. I've also had Marshall and Mesa Boogie guitar amps that had to be retubed every 1 to 3 years. Ouch for the Road King retube cost. But dat tone!!!

You drive them a lot harder in a guitar amp, especially when pushing it into distortion...which is part of that great sound.

 

[GrantB]

Had a great uncle that worked on communication equipment during ww2 and after that he opened a radio and tv repair shop. I still have a couple of his cases full of tubes. A shame to just let them sit there and do nothing

 

[Maggot]

Had a great uncle that worked on communication equipment during ww2 and after that he opened a radio and tv repair shop. I still have a couple of his cases full of tubes. A shame to just let them sit there and do nothing

PM sent

 

[Aries256]

Had a great uncle that worked on communication equipment during ww2 and after that he opened a radio and tv repair shop. I still have a couple of his cases full of tubes. A shame to just let them sit there and do nothing

Look up plans to build a good monoblock, a headphone amp, or a full blown speaker amp out of them. I run a little dot amp, with 6n6 power tubes and Raytheon signal tubes and they sound amazing, esp with dynamic headphones. I’ve been curious about building a amp with thyratron power, and 300b signal for electrostatic headphones.

 

[OldSalty2]

Had a great uncle that worked on communication equipment during ww2 and after that he opened a radio and tv repair shop. I still have a couple of his cases full of tubes. A shame to just let them sit there and do nothing

You should rummage through them. Some NIB and even used tubes can be worth some decent money...ofc depending on type, make and model.

 

[azbiker]

I was seduced by the sound of a tube front end five years ago. Love the glow of the tubes and the large wattage meters on the ss mono blocks.

 

[loveha]

When I was searching for good headphones with a nice DAC/Amp for my computer I came across this place.

Head-Fi.org Forums

Head-Fi: All the latest headphone reviews and headphone news. Spirited discussion forums, Head-Fi gear galleries, a large review database, and audio measurements.

www.head-fi.org

These are the type of people who build amps and try all sorts of tubes. If you can't find a buyer here for some of your stuff, I would be surprised.

 

[mrdrar]

Had a great uncle that worked on communication equipment during ww2 and after that he opened a radio and tv repair shop. I still have a couple of his cases full of tubes. A shame to just let them sit there and do nothing

Original Western Electric 300B and Richardson or Genelex Gold Lion KT88 are highly desirable.

 

[packratt]

View attachment 7589348

Yes Maggot that's Bob Carver's Silver Seven 900s. I'd happily take 4 of them (3600 watts) and have a bunch of money left over the pair of 60W 97As.

 

[packratt]

Someone mentioned wanting to build an amp. Take a look at http://www.tubes4hifi.com/bob.htm.

I had Bob Carver take a look at the schematic for the M-125 monoblocks and he said it looked good. If I hadnt had a chance to get a pair of his 275s I'd have built a pair of them.

 

[gibson]

LOL, blew the fuse no doubt.

I had one of the Russian crap power tubes in my Fisher 500 that flashed so bad it sucked a cone of glass into the plate. Fortunately I was in the room and got it turned off before it damaged anything. Solid state while convenient just dosent match tubes sonically.

Check out this 1000 watt organ amp.

Love it! And the shots of the (Mercury filled?) tubes are cool too. Hard to tell if that is blue or purple.

No blown fuse, actually no fuse at all. The circuit has a sacrificial ceramic resistor that pretty much vaporizes. I went through 3 resistors trying to getter the tube back into shape but decided not to chance it anymore and lose the transformer.

My only tube amp is a Johnson Millenium with two 10 or 12" Celestian's..I forget. Great amp as long as it does not have to hit the road on a tour.

 

[CheStadium]

Brings me back to my early days of ham radio (ok it was 60 years ago) when I was running Eimac tubes in my amp. Heated my bedroom in the winter. Between 10:00 & 11:00 PM I would get everything fired up & warm. Took the entire neighborhood TV sets out when I transmitted. Even back then everyone loved me.

Maxwell

I still use a 2 meter linear with an Eimac 3cx800A7. I can get 1012W key down out. Back in the day, I built a 2 meter preamp with a 417A front end, and it was as good as it gets at the time. I was a kid and had some help. They told me the NF was about 2 db, which was really good at the time. Today Nf's of < 1db are pretty easy with GasFET's

 

[gibson]

Brings me back to my early days of ham radio (ok it was 60 years ago) when I was running Eimac tubes in my amp. Heated my bedroom in the winter. Between 10:00 & 11:00 PM I would get everything fired up & warm. Took the entire neighborhood TV sets out when I transmitted. Even back then everyone loved me.

Maxwell

Yep. I can open up the door to the outside in the winter and maintain a nice cozy 68-70 degrees. Mileage varies on outdoor temp and how much door is propped open. Summer time, well, thank goodness the room is the first duct run off of the AC unit.

 

[Maggot]

Yep. I can open up the door to the outside in the winter and maintain a nice cozy 68-70 degrees. Mileage varies on outdoor temp and how much door is propped open. Summer time, well, thank goodness the room is the first duct run off of the AC unit.

My mono block Altec 1570's have 2 of the 811's each and each tube draws 900 volts. The power tranny's weigh about 20 lbs each. When I pop them on the lights in the house dim.

 

[ZiaHunter]

Pretty cool stuff but probably not a good investment for me. Last time I went to the audiologist his advice was don't waste your money on sound equipment since you won't hear half of it due to hearing loss.

 

[acudaowner]

bring back the vacuum tubes

 

[BLEE]

There was a Western Electric plant, in my town. It changed to AT&T. They made pay phones, that shipped all over the country. AT&T moved production to Singapore and we lost 3000 jobs. Similar happened to the General Electric and General Motors plants. There's not much left, now.
My guitar amps are tube amps. The grunt that tube amps provide, can't be found in solid state.

 

[mrdrar]

View attachment 7589979
View attachment 7589982
bring back the vacuum tubes

AC30?

 

[mrdrar]

There was a Western Electric plant, in my town. It changed to AT&T. They made pay phones, that shipped all over the country. AT&T moved production to Singapore and we lost 3000 jobs. Similar happened to the General Electric and General Motors plants. There's not much left, now.
My guitar amps are tube amps. The grunt that tube amps provide, can't be found in solid state.

Wish someone could make a small, light weight, affordable, powerful, tube bass amp. Cabinets have gotten much lighter and have a broad price range. Modeling amps are good but not the same.

 

[Maggot]

Wish someone could make a small, light weight, affordable, powerful, tube bass amp. Cabinets have gotten much lighter and have a broad price range. Modeling amps are good but not the same.

"There can be only one."

 

[BLEE]

Wish someone could make a small, light weight, affordable, powerful, tube bass amp. Cabinets have gotten much lighter and have a broad price range. Modeling amps are good but not the same.

I think many bass players like solid state because of the clean tone and lack of breakup. Seems like there would be a market for tube powered bass amps, though.

 

[Maggot]

View attachment 7589979
View attachment 7589982
bring back the vacuum tubes

Is that your McIntosh? You really ought to get a good matched set of NOS 6L6 power tubes. There is a matched set on Ebay for $260. Pricey, yes, but you have no idea how much difference they will make in the sound of your amp.

eBay item number:
264952951789
Seller assumes all responsibility for this listing.

 

[BLEE]

"There can be only one."

View attachment 7590097

Man, I love the sound of a Les Paul, through a cranked tube powered, Ampeg bass amp and Marshall cab!

 

[kthomas]

I'm not near as geeky as some of ya'll motherfuckers, but I do have a vacuum tube setup that I use for my PS3 with headphones (to play Nazi Zombies of course )

 

[mrdrar]

"There can be only one."

View attachment 7590097

Completely agree, even if it doesn’t meet a single requirement.

 

[Major Wader]

I get that everyone has hobbies that cost money, some more than others. Just saying, if anyone ever identifies that I have spent $125K on a fucking amplifier, just know that I won the lottery, and they guaranteed that Salma Hayek will be sucking my dick every time I hit the power button.

This thing might sound amazing, but the human ear can't possibly distinguish between it and whatever $10K buys.