Not long after the Russia-Ukraine war started, the availability of the Tung Sol KT150 tubes decreased dramatically. It appears some of the usual vendors now have them in stock although still at slightly higher prices than previously. What has changed? Is there now an alternate source of tubes from the Tung Sol factory in Russia?
Availability of Tung Sol KT150 tubes
- Thread starter lem321
- Start date
I haven’t seen any new factories for the big KTs. But availability has increased.
As it was explained to me earlier this year, there had been a glass availability supply chain problem. When that was resolved, production began again. But the shipping stream, and sanctions problems had to be resolved.
Upscale Audio and ARC are barometers for the industry because they are both large buyers with good QC to the end user. They both stopped selling to people who were buying for inventory rather than repairs, but both are selling again. That suggests to me that the crisis has eased up a bit.
As it was explained to me earlier this year, there had been a glass availability supply chain problem. When that was resolved, production began again. But the shipping stream, and sanctions problems had to be resolved.
Upscale Audio and ARC are barometers for the industry because they are both large buyers with good QC to the end user. They both stopped selling to people who were buying for inventory rather than repairs, but both are selling again. That suggests to me that the crisis has eased up a bit.
Two new tube sets for my Ref 250se amplifiers have been shipped from ARC. These include 16 KT150s. I also purchased KT150 from Upscale Audio for use in my Ref 150 amp and they were installed yesterday and final bias check this morning. The tubes seem to be flowing again, at least in some quanties.
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