RCA ECL82 matched quad and Viva tubes.....?

[slimecity]

Hi there

Wondering if anyone has used this vendor. Viva Tubes?

Wondering also if this looks OK also - these 4 x ECL82 RCA types (not sure if these are new production or not).

https://www.vivatubes.com/true-nos-...exico-6bm8-ecl82-gray-plate-get-vacuum-tubes/

Has anyone heard these tubes themselves?

I have a pioneer SA400 tube amp with all original tubes and want to refresh all of these. Hoping for some good but cost-effective tubes. I will also need them sent to NZ, so that is another cost I need to consider......

thanks!

 

[zackthedog]

Viva Tubes is excellent, very reliable. Those are definitely NOS.

 

[slimecity]

Nice - thank you!

 

[larryderouin]

Chances are they aren't matched for cathode current at operating voltage. Which is more important than matching them for Gm IMO. 99% of these places put them on a Tube tester and call it good. Ask which tester they tested these on. I'd trust a TV-7 more than others, but it's still a fractional voltage compared to actual amp voltages. I'd contact Jim McShane and see if he has a quad of Domestic's (he tests them for output at real world voltages and matches the cathode currents on a custom built test jig) or if you're not adverse to Russian tubes, some of those.

 

[slimecity]

Thanks Larry - Im not averse to Russian tubes - if Jim reckons they sound good, I will take his word on that!

 

[Salectric]

I have had several successful purchases from Viva Tubes.

 

[slimecity]

I have had several successful purchases from Viva Tubes.

Thanks - they seem to have the best price on the gold pin Tung Sol reissue 12ax7's - I think those will be my pre-tubes of choice