makepeace wrote: RS components sell tubes! Please ignore this if you know, but I just noticed myself, and I've been cruising around their site for a while.

They seem to be Chinese, judging from the datasheets, but not completely sure of branding. Very cheap. Don't know how they rate in terms of micro-phonics and other measurables, but maybe worth a try?

http://za.rs-online.com/web/search/searchBrowseAction.html?method=retrieveTfg&Ne=4294958012&N=4294921824+4294201950

Some of them are definitely JJs... and the prices are good...

yep, only JJ EL34's though.. the others are "discontinued" :-\

anyone tried any of their valves out?

Thanks for the link Jono. I did not know of it.

My guess these are Shuguang tubes, AKA Sino tubes.

http://thetubestore.com/sino.html

I use the EL34's in my hifi amps, as well as the 6SN7. I have also used 12AX7 and 7025 and coke bottle shape 6L6GC's. I think I fitted 4 in Alan's twin. Maybe he can report the sound?

As far as I can see, they are as good as anything else. I have read that they are virtually indestructable. The 6L6GC's can withstand 500V on the plates - and the amp cranked wide open. They are great for experimenting or budget projects, as well as OEM products.

Ah! I was wondering what those were. ? They definitely give up a good sound and unlike the Chinese valves of old have proved durable (about two years now I think), although I'd like to fit a set of SEDs next for comparison.

I think the RS valves listed without manufacturer are likely to be the Sino, but some of them definitely have JJ listed as the manufacturer.

have done some homework. it appears that their valves are "RS" brand :-\. they wouldn't tell me who the manufacturer was ???

Quite a few years ago I got 2 X EL34's from them and was very disappointed.
Chinese National valves that were physically different to each other. One was a tall thin bottle and other was short and fat that looks more like a 6L6. Still packed away and never used.

Hey guys, sorry for the necro but I need to replace the valves in my Peavey ValveKing 212 (not even sure if the valves are the problem but I'd like to give it a go before I shell out the big bucks to take it to a tech. Aybody know if these are any good? The prices are very, very decent... Looking at the 12AX7 and 6L6GC's for my amp. Thought maybe more people have tried em out since this thread was started.
http://za.rs-online.com/web/c/semiconductors/discretes/thermionic-valves-audio/

Thanks! ?

TAD valves are now available from Guitartone - www.guitartone.co.za (although you can't order them online). I don't have pricing yet, but if it follows Gian's pricing on the amps and guitars he brings in, should be quite reasonable. I've quite liked the TAD tubes I've used in the past, preferring them to the Sovtek, EHX and JJ versions.

Alan Ratcliffe wrote: TAD valves are now available from Guitartone - www.guitartone.co.za (although you can't order them online). I don't have pricing yet, but if it follows Gian's pricing on the amps and guitars he brings in, should be quite reasonable. I've quite liked the TAD tubes I've used in the past, preferring them to the Sovtek, EHX and JJ versions.

Thanks Alan! I'd probably have to call them and see if they will ship me some as I'm based in East London.

Shuguang are not bad eh. Bang for buck wise, rather buy Chinese than Russian or Eastern European.

I'm wondering if I shouldn't just go for it and order some from RS, hey, I got a quote from Guitartone for the TADs and they are a little on the pricey side. I know one pays for quality and I fully appreciate that but my thing is, I get most of my tone from my Vox Tonelab ST pedal anyway so is it really worth my while to get super-high quality tubes in this case? :-\

Clint Green wrote: I'm wondering if I shouldn't just go for it and order some from RS, hey, I got a quote from Guitartone for the TADs and they are a little on the pricey side. I know one pays for quality and I fully appreciate that but my thing is, I get most of my tone from my Vox Tonelab ST pedal anyway so is it really worth my while to get super-high quality tubes in this case? :-\

if I may ask how much were the TAD 6l6's?

Dinosaur Snr wrote:

Clint Green wrote: I'm wondering if I shouldn't just go for it and order some from RS, hey, I got a quote from Guitartone for the TADs and they are a little on the pricey side. I know one pays for quality and I fully appreciate that but my thing is, I get most of my tone from my Vox Tonelab ST pedal anyway so is it really worth my while to get super-high quality tubes in this case? :-\

if I may ask how much were the TAD 6l6's?

I don't know what the breakdown was, I was just given a quote for the 4x6L6's and 3 x 12AX7...
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