The Tubes & Testing

Latest Updates

*New tester with RCA outs for noise testing in Micro volts, Regulated

*Preamp tubes available in Matched sets & Mu Gain testing level options

*Curve Tracing Tests For Tubes Coming Very Soon!

My mission statement is, let me help you find the perfect tube to craft your unique sound. My equipment will identify great tubes, detect bad tubes or early failures. I can recommend you the perfect tube based on years of careful listening. I have developed long relationships with quality distributors and sources throughout the world for New and Vintage NOS tubes. I use the entire maxitest range which go through calibrations.

Most tubes come with a special logo sticker which stipulates that the tubes pins have been cleaned, the tube is tested, matched and then burned in 24-72 hours (depending on type, age and application) on a custom Maxitest station in order to reactive the cathodes, stabilise and promote longevity for better out of box tone when received.

From Experience This produces A Better Performing Tube.

*New NOS tubes with NO Burn in are always available too. *Tube pins are cleaned and then has a special formula applied to assist with lubrication, electroconductivity and prevent oxidisation.

Consistency

Tube Matching

Tubes I test are year matched and also matched within tight tolerances generally within roughly a 3 - 6 % margin which equates to 1-3 milliamps especially for people using Class A/B amplification but on occasions a little more (within acceptable limits) as perfect matches from batches of limited vintage tubes can be difficult.

Burning In - Accuracy Stability & Tone

The choice has always and will continue to be yours!

New 40 Tube Burn in Capacity. Galvanically Isolated Power Supply.

This method via Custom Made Power Supply with special surge protection via a Furman surge control unit. The surge protection function in addition to the maximatchers internal short circuit function which shuts down an entire string of 5 tubes. This avoids any potential issues associated with tube short circuits or power surges while burning in over long periods, protection precious tubes. I will be elaborating more again on this section very soon as I am always further perfecting and learning.

Why Burn In?

The main reasons why I do this is to detect early tube failures and bad tubes but also because I sell vintage NOS tubes that have not been used for decades and therefore the heaters, cathodes plates including gases all need to be reactivated (standard factory process). This process promotes good tube health and longevity. I also provide Many vintage tubes just simply tested (NOS) - NO burn in too.

TUBE DRIFT Less biasing, more enjoying

New Tubes by their nature can present vastly different values but also fluctuate until they settle in, some brands do a lot more than others usually between 0.5ma - 5ma. Pre Test burn in ensures the heaters filaments etc in addition to gases have stabilised as well as the control grid and plate establish an equilibrium after thermal expansion etc. This means the tube shouldn't fluctuate, ensuring significantly better testing / matching accuracy and a better performing tube that shouldn't really "drift" once installed in your Amp. Pics & Videos coming soon!

* This can be a notorious issue in the first few weeks of installing new tubes as they can and do drift (depending on brand).

TONE

My philosophy and experimenting have proven that burning in produces a more Dynamic, sweeter and more consistent tone from tube to tube. This process loosens up the initial response of the tube offering better dynamics and the more balanced tone right away however tubes can still further develop over time too, absolutely. Isn't that awesome FET's don't :) The Choice for Burn in has always and will continue to be yours but is Highly Recommended!

CONSISTENCY

Consistency, reliability and repeatability is important in science and for people. This is why 90 percent of the time every tube I buy the entire box, which is the same date, same batch, same manufacturer whether it's Vintage or New. I see a lot of year mixing and matching as well as using old boxes with tube of a much later dated (sometimes 5 -15 years) inside to sell. Generally, this is ok though however there's sometimes changes in manufacturing techniques/materials over years/decades but recapitulating... consistency and reliability are important factors in a good tube. I do my utmost best to honor this statement, and I will Label tubes as such if they don't meet this criteria.

STORAGE

Storage is a very important aspect for vintage and modern tubes. I store all my tubes in airtight sealed boxes to preserve/protect tubes from environmental factors keeping them in the best condition possible.