12AX7 Rarities...Believe it....or Not...

Don't know if anyone has caught wind of these yet...

I'll ask my in-laws for a loan.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MEGA-EXTREMELY-RARE-TUBES-NOS-PAIR-12AX7-SILVER-COPPER-FOIL-GETTER-TUNGSOL-/401065524996?hash=item5d615e3f04%3Ag%3ApooAAOSwoydWsdJA

Cheers,
Ed

edgobb wrote:Don't know if anyone has caught wind of these yet...

I'll ask my in-laws for a loan.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MEGA-EXTREMELY-RARE-TUBES-NOS-PAIR-12AX7-SILVER-COPPER-FOIL-GETTER-TUNGSOL-/401065524996?hash=item5d615e3f04%3Ag%3ApooAAOSwoydWsdJA

Cheers,
Ed

Don't forget the free shipping!!

edgobb wrote:Don't know if anyone has caught wind of these yet...

I'll ask my in-laws for a loan.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MEGA-EXTREMELY-RARE-TUBES-NOS-PAIR-12AX7-SILVER-COPPER-FOIL-GETTER-TUNGSOL-/401065524996?hash=item5d615e3f04%3Ag%3ApooAAOSwoydWsdJA

Cheers,
Ed

I can smell the oil droppings from the snake(s)

When something is described as extremely rare, in this case the advert says possibly the only two in existence, one has to ask why. The advertisement says they were made in the 1950s so maybe many others have ceased to exist. In which case perhaps they were never any good in the first place or just not popular for most applications for some reason. Do I smell snake oil burning as well? Unless somebody can convince me otherwise, I think they are to be avoided.

Just had a google of the number stamped on the tube and it would appear that they may have been manufactured as computer tubes even possibly made by IBM

http://www.computerhistory.org/collections/catalog/102735255

There is ( as always ) a good explanation :
One major factor leading to the overall decline in the quality of tubes since the late 50's has been the substitution of diminitive, sickly Metric Watts, in place of the full-bodied, robust Imperial Watts that had been the norm.

Another problem, seldom mentioned even among tube manufacturers, is the increasing scarcity of Audiophile Grade Vacuum. Since the implosion of the Siberian Vacuum Mines (the sole worldwide source of audio grade vacuum) a few years ago, the price of premium vacuum has skyrocketed. Attempts to create a synthetic Audio Grade Vacuum have, so far, failed and production facilities have nothing to show for all their efforts. Not surprisingly, Blackmarket sources have often substituted Industrial Grade Vacuum (with all of it's impurities) in an effort to fool the unwary and reap enomous profits.

Best Regards,
TerryO
( from audiokarma )

peterh wrote:There is ( as always ) a good explanation :
   One major factor leading to the overall decline in the quality of tubes since the late 50's has been the substitution of diminitive, sickly Metric Watts, in place of the full-bodied, robust Imperial Watts that had been the norm.

   Another problem, seldom mentioned even among tube manufacturers, is the increasing scarcity of Audiophile Grade Vacuum. Since the implosion of the Siberian Vacuum Mines (the sole worldwide source of audio grade vacuum) a few years ago, the price of premium vacuum has skyrocketed. Attempts to create a synthetic Audio Grade Vacuum have, so far, failed and production facilities have nothing to show for all their efforts. Not surprisingly, Blackmarket sources have often substituted Industrial Grade Vacuum (with all of it's impurities) in an effort to fool the unwary and reap enomous profits.

   Best Regards,
   TerryO
 ( from audiokarma )

If that be the case, oh Mr. TerryO, I have the ultimate inexpensive source, easily accessible, for The Perfect Vacuum -- the space between your ears.

You would think the $8500 price might just be a typo
from a guy with 100% positive feedback
but no,
they're actually marked down from $10,000

Here is my favorite item from old_guy_radiola on eBay:

Giant Tube

Save 15%!! "new perfect" Act now!!

Gregg R. wrote:Here is my favorite item from old_guy_radiola on eBay:

Giant Tube

Save 15%!! "new perfect" Act now!!

"Never used."

"Fully tested." Tested how? LOOKED at it? "Yup. It's a toob!"

I've got a buddy who's owns a machine shop.

He's got a vintage lathe in there, all DC motors,
with a rectifier tube nearly that big.

He is not at all impressed with tiny little GZ34's.