Cheap valves?
 

I bought a cheap amplifier on Aliexpress some time ago.After watching a lot of video's on it i decided to change the tubes for Russian old stock ones.In my search i ordered them here.In my comparison it was very cheap.4 sets of 4 tubes for under €50 shipped.While on Alieexpress you pay €28 for a set of 4.And the original Chinese tubes are lighter then the Russian ones.One of the Chinese was faulty so had to replace it anyway.It was very well packed and shipped very fast.At first i was a bit sceptical to order in Ukraine but i gave it a try.Maybe someone need something.It's worth a look i think.
https://www.etsy.com/nl/shop/kambrem...hopheader-name

Leon.

Re: Cheap valves?
 

I have used none of these sites, but my experience with Eastern Euopean suppliers up to yet has been very good. Those in the EU seem quicker but I think that is just customs.

Re: Cheap valves?
 

I buy Russian valves from both the Ukraine and Bulgaria without problems.

Re: Cheap valves?
 

The USSR stuck with valve based military technology for a long time, so when it collapsed there were warehouses full of military grade valves throughout the Warsaw Pact countries and former Soviet republics. The contents of these have been progressively 'liberated' by local entrepreneurs over the years.

Re: Cheap valves?
 

I have used Russian equivalents to 6L6 in a pair of Quad IIs for some time - using roman characters they're numbered 6p3s. I found them to work fine, though I have no measurements to back that up. I too have had no trouble with east-european vendors, though I know folks who have not been so fortunate. I have some Russian ECC83 near equivalents (heaters wired differently, I think) and EL84 too, for a guitar amplifier project which is somewhat stalled.

Re: Cheap valves?
 

I've ordered valves from the Ukraine several times and find they are much cheaper, probably better (military) quality and arrive within two weeks. Never had to pay customs duty.

Re: Cheap valves?
 

I'm new to valves and i go open a tread on another forum on this :-)
Leon.

Re: Cheap valves?
 

I've bought valves off Vitali, off his ebay site, excellent bloke. Also bought other Russian NOS valves off ebay, again no problem. What's not to like, great price, valves arrive in about a week, well packed and you get good after sales service.

Andy.