Philips 834A valves - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

skyliner · 10th May 2012, 2:24 pm

Hi. Can anyone tell me where I might obtain working valves for a Philips 834A? I have the possibility of getting a set without valves, and wanted to have an idea: 1) if the valves are available anywhere and 2) the likely cost.

Many thanks for the advice, as always.

Leslie Sheldon

Leon Crampin · 10th May 2012, 2:39 pm

Would you care to list the types you need?

Contributors are far more likely to respond if they don't have to go diving into their records to find out. Give us the information and we will do our best to respond.

Leon.

murphymad · 10th May 2012, 3:45 pm

The Philips 834A uses the following valves:

MM4V
S4VB
994V
PM24A
1821

The only one that really needs to be kept as an original, rather than an equivalent is the PM24A due to low LT consumption. you often see the PM24M or PT4 or PT41 in these sets, but that does tend to put a heavy burden on the mains TX.

All of the others can be substituted by more common valves without making any perceivable difference to the function of the set.

MM4V and S4VB are much less commonly found now, but 5pin AC/VP1's are excellent replacements. You could use a host of others, but I have found these to be better every time.

The 994V can be replaced with an 354V or MH41

There should be plenty of PM24A's and 1821's around.

If I was still working for Mitel in Kanata, I would bring some over...

Mike...

skyliner · 10th May 2012, 5:18 pm

Hi,

Small world. Kanata indeed. I expect it's changed quite a bit since you were here, 'Silicon Valley North' having gone through some bad times.

Thanks ever so for the valve information. What would recommend as a potential source? I scan Ebay UK and Germany all the time for valves, but I wonder if there might be a specialist supplier somewhere in the UK.

I have the possibility of obtaining a Philips 834A without some of the tubes; I have no way of testing what valves are in the set on my trusty BK (US) tester, so I guess I'd have to go for complete replacement of all of them.

I was just wondering whether, frankly, buying a set with no tubes was worth it given the likely cost of replacing the valves (in addition to whatever else might need to be replaced--including in this case the back panel).

Nice to make your acquaintance.

Cheers,

Leslie

Cobaltblue · 10th May 2012, 6:04 pm

Just my personal opinion

The 834A is a good looking set and performs very well.

As Mike has said they are tolerant on the whole of valve substitution and even if it comes with a full set of tubes you no idea unless the set is working if they are any good.

Personally I would not be put off if the valves were missing providing the price reflected that.

Cheers

Mike T

skyliner · 15th May 2012, 2:48 pm

Hello all,

I didn't get the Philips 834A in the end but during my researches I found a contact who does have valves for the set; this might be of interest to someone restoring one of these. My apologies if everyone already has this information.

http://www.fdonkers.net/

The above was recommended to me by Ben Dijkman.

Cheers, and thanks for the input.

Leslie

10th May 2012, 2:24 pm	#1
skyliner Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 24	Philips 834A valves Hi. Can anyone tell me where I might obtain working valves for a Philips 834A? I have the possibility of getting a set without valves, and wanted to have an idea: 1) if the valves are available anywhere and 2) the likely cost. Many thanks for the advice, as always. Leslie Sheldon Last edited by Brian R Pateman; 10th May 2012 at 10:12 pm. Reason: Font corrected.

10th May 2012, 2:39 pm	#2
Leon Crampin Octode Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Surrey, UK. Posts: 1,874	Re: Philips 834A valves Would you care to list the types you need? Contributors are far more likely to respond if they don't have to go diving into their records to find out. Give us the information and we will do our best to respond. Leon.

10th May 2012, 3:45 pm	#3
murphymad Heptode Join Date: May 2003 Location: Devizes, Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 650	Re: Philips 834A valves The Philips 834A uses the following valves: MM4V S4VB 994V PM24A 1821 The only one that really needs to be kept as an original, rather than an equivalent is the PM24A due to low LT consumption. you often see the PM24M or PT4 or PT41 in these sets, but that does tend to put a heavy burden on the mains TX. All of the others can be substituted by more common valves without making any perceivable difference to the function of the set. MM4V and S4VB are much less commonly found now, but 5pin AC/VP1's are excellent replacements. You could use a host of others, but I have found these to be better every time. The 994V can be replaced with an 354V or MH41 There should be plenty of PM24A's and 1821's around. If I was still working for Mitel in Kanata, I would bring some over... Mike... __________________ Mike Barker.

10th May 2012, 5:18 pm	#4
skyliner Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 24	Re: Philips 834A valves Hi, Small world. Kanata indeed. I expect it's changed quite a bit since you were here, 'Silicon Valley North' having gone through some bad times. Thanks ever so for the valve information. What would recommend as a potential source? I scan Ebay UK and Germany all the time for valves, but I wonder if there might be a specialist supplier somewhere in the UK. I have the possibility of obtaining a Philips 834A without some of the tubes; I have no way of testing what valves are in the set on my trusty BK (US) tester, so I guess I'd have to go for complete replacement of all of them. I was just wondering whether, frankly, buying a set with no tubes was worth it given the likely cost of replacing the valves (in addition to whatever else might need to be replaced--including in this case the back panel). Nice to make your acquaintance. Cheers, Leslie

10th May 2012, 6:04 pm	#5
Cobaltblue Moderator Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Exeter, Devon and Poole, Dorset UK. Posts: 6,879	Re: Philips 834A valves Just my personal opinion The 834A is a good looking set and performs very well. As Mike has said they are tolerant on the whole of valve substitution and even if it comes with a full set of tubes you no idea unless the set is working if they are any good. Personally I would not be put off if the valves were missing providing the price reflected that. Cheers Mike T __________________ Invisible airwaves crackle with life or at least they used to Mike T BVWS member. www.cossor.co.uk

15th May 2012, 2:48 pm	#6
skyliner Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 24	Re: Philips 834A valves Hello all, I didn't get the Philips 834A in the end but during my researches I found a contact who does have valves for the set; this might be of interest to someone restoring one of these. My apologies if everyone already has this information. http://www.fdonkers.net/ The above was recommended to me by Ben Dijkman. Cheers, and thanks for the input. Leslie Last edited by Brian R Pateman; 16th May 2012 at 12:45 pm. Reason: Forum rules, section C.