Telefunken 12AX7 source to buy

[F456GTM]

My Uesugi preamplifier came from Japan with Matsushita 12AX7. I am trying to find a decent source for a sextet of Telefunken valves, they do not have to be the top of the line. Ebay has many sellers but it is a jungle out there, it would be like playing the lottery.

Any recommendations?

Cheers,

 

[microstrip]

Be aware that there are excellently counterfeit 12AX7 tubes in the market, even with the characteristic genuine diamond - as far as I read some factories producing tubes for Telefunken produced a similar double triode, not as valuable. and counterfeiters just relabel this tube and make perfect aged boxes-

I have a few sealed and wrapped PCC88 that I bough many years ago, but I do not sell them to any one as I can not be sure they are genuine ...

 

[F456GTM]

That’s why I posted the question. Like in every field, Rolex, Vuitton, etc, the counterfeit market is thriving like there is no tomorrow. Even appraisers at Christie’s or Sotheby’s are not safe anymore.

 

[dminches]

You should drop a DM to @loki1957. A couple months ago I tested a whole bunch for him. He may have some to sell.

​

 

[microstrip]

You should drop a DM to @loki1957. A couple months ago I tested a whole bunch for him. He may have some to sell.

Just by curiosity, what are the typical current prices for genuine Telefunken 12AX7's?

 

[mulveling]

It's a great tube and there are a LOT out there. I'm not sure there's really THAT much of a counterfeiting issue here, since there's so much of the genuine product available for a reasonable price out there. Yes, you want to see a "diamond" imprint in the glass base and also watch for Ei smooth plate types (which were made with the original Telefunken tooling) though they're not bad tubes either. The stakes are much higher with the 803S, warranting much more caution - but you didn't mention that "holy grail" tube specifically.

You should be able to find strong testing good Tele 12AX7 tubes, both types (smooth and ribbed plates), around and under $75 each. Maybe up to $100 a tube max. Audiogon, audio asylum classifieds, smaller scale tube sellers, and yes eBay. Or you could go to a bigger tube dealer and pay way more per tube, but IMO why not just buy extra cheap tubes and pick the winners? You'll usually end up way ahead. I've got about a dozen over the years and had one dud.

The ribbed plates are a little brighter but also a little more dynamic and engaging. The smooth plates are warmer. It's nice to have both on and just see which works best for you.

 

[F456GTM]

I came back to valves barely a year ago. In the early sixties I had Telefunken, Amperex, Mullard..., at that time nobody cared about smooth or ribbed plates, people enjoyed the music, what I would call the ears minus the eyes the opposite of what is happening right now. Today, I would not recognize one from the other, they will rip me off.

 

[F456GTM]

Too good to be true?

Lot of 4 Date Matched TELEFUNKEN ECC83 12AX7 Ribbed Plate Tubes, Great Print! | eBay

Excellent condition. Tubes are also checked for catastrophic failure such as gas, shorts, grid emissions, and for microphonics.I do not list any tubes that fail these checks. Always handle 7- and 9-pin miniature tubes by the pins and tip, and octal base tubes by the base, and do not touch glass...

www.ebay.com

 

[mulveling]

Too good to be true?

Lot of 4 Date Matched TELEFUNKEN ECC83 12AX7 Ribbed Plate Tubes, Great Print! | eBay

Excellent condition. Tubes are also checked for catastrophic failure such as gas, shorts, grid emissions, and for microphonics.I do not list any tubes that fail these checks. Always handle 7- and 9-pin miniature tubes by the pins and tip, and octal base tubes by the base, and do not touch glass...

www.ebay.com

No, not too good to be true. Those are genuine Tele ribbed plates. Good test #'s and seller has 100% feedback. Auction so we'll have to see where the price lands. I would guess ~90 a tube, 360.

 

[F456GTM]

This seller [100% feedback] has the sextet that I need, please kindly see if it would be wise to buy all six.

| eBay

Cheers,

 

[mulveling]

Looks good to me. A calibrated TV7 is a good tester, and those are strong enough #'s for 12AX7. You're paying maybe a little bit of a premium, but the matching and boxes are nice bonus.

 

[F456GTM]

Thanks for your time mate, I bought them.

Cheers,

 

[microstrip]

Thanks for your time mate, I bought them.

Cheers,

I was going to post on how to check them, all I do now is wish you good luck.

Meanwhile try getting a tooth stick and a caliper!

 

[F456GTM]

Anyway, go ahead, I will be glad to learn for a future purchase. Two safety clips are missing, any idea where to buy a pair? The Uesugi handicraft book has 434 pages of his designs including schematics, prints and in depth descriptions, but it is in Japanese.

 

[microstrip]

Anyway, go ahead, I will be glad to learn for a future purchase.

Ok, apologies for being slow. This WBF thread summarizes most of it.

https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/good-tube-experience.4023/

Our leader Steve posted the best advice

Buy your tubes from a reliable dealer.

 

[microstrip]

Anyway, go ahead, I will be glad to learn for a future purchase. Two safety clips are missing, any idea where to buy a pair? (...)

I think those are very similar:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/264499452381?hash=item3d956559dd:g:8UYAAOSwIqJdpaj1