Where can I purchase a 5998 tube?

[Pfenning]

I see very few on Ebay, and mostly pairs. Where is the best place to pick one up? Crack is ordered, and I'm looking to grab up some tubes for rolling once I get it going.

Pfenning

[porcupunctis]

www.tubeworld.com

Just checked, they are sold out of many but still have a few.

[Laudanum]

Tube world only has some of 5998A's left ... straight glass.   I could be mistaken but the ST's are supposed to be the better sounding tube.  All Tungsol made, different plate and internal structure than the 5998A's.   By the way, I saw a Tungsol go for 88 bucks on ebay.  I think it was supposed to be a NOS, auction closed yesterday or day before.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/170778423124?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

There is another single currently listed.   99 bucks starting bid.  I suppose it depends how badly you want one.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/5998-Tung-Sol-NOS-Tube-Rare-/110822842346?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item19cd8e5fea

[Beefy]

There is another single currently listed.   99 bucks starting bid.  I suppose it depends how badly you want one.

Yeah, this is getting nuts. I paid $80 for two of them - one slightly used, and one NOS.

And even though the 5998 is probably my favourite output tube, I wouldn't pay a cent more than $40 each. If you are Speedballed, then the RCA 6AS7G that you can buy everywhere for $15 makes expensive 5998's a poor investment.

[Laudanum]

Yep I paid $50 for one and later found two others for $32 and $35. Both of those were used, tested as new, from a dealer who backs them.  This was not more than 6 months ago.   I wouldnt pay what they seem to be asking now.  But I do prefer them over the 6AS7, even with Speedball.  That said, I could be more than happy with the 6AS7 if I didnt have a 5998 or before I'd pay the current asking prices.

[ELBEBE1000]

[And even though the 5998 is probably my favourite output tube, I wouldn't pay a cent more than $40 each. If you are Speedballed, then the RCA 6AS7G that you can buy everywhere for $15 makes expensive 5998's a poor investment.
[/quote]

Provably I am Nuts but I paid $99.00 for one from England and I am not regret! I also have speedball in my crack and for me works every penny! Now I have 7236 Tung sol and 6AS7G and nothing is compared to that 5998 also I have 12UA7 germany tube. However, the rest of my equipment plays an important role:

Senhieser HD800's
Oppo 95 universal player
My combo doesn't beat my stereo system Rotel & B&W 902's but sound fantastic.
Yashin

[BNAL]

What does anyone think about the WE 421A compared to the 5998?

[grufti]

What does anyone think about the WE 421A compared to the 5998?

Better.


The 421A that is. Way more expensive too, but more complete/perfect/wholesome ... and I'm not kidding and speak from experience and even from experience with the Crack headphone amp.

[Raksasa]

Way more expensive too, but more complete/perfect/wholesome ... and I'm not kidding and speak from experience and even from experience with the Crack headphone amp.

Never heard of the 421A. Is it a straight drop in ?

Ohh, just looked it up at a tube shop. Ouch !!!  (https://forum.bottlehead.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi204.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fbb272%2Fraksasajohn%2FSmilies%2Fyikes_1.gif&hash=14efdc8605a3139f20b32cd0fa21cc0450cceb46)

[Noskipallwd]

The WE C421A was made by Tungsol for WE, They are 5998s that tested better for all tube parameters. They are expensive, big time.

Cheers,
Shawn P.

[Beefy]

Better.

The 421A that is. Way more expensive too, but more complete/perfect/wholesome ... and I'm not kidding and speak from experience and even from experience with the Crack headphone amp.

............ the 5998 and 421A are the same tube.

[Laudanum]

............ the 5998 and 421A are the same tube.

Basically agree.  Lots of debate about this around the net.   The WE's I have seen pictures of are clear top, bottom getters and look just like the one clear top 5998 that I have.  I dont know if there are variations of 421A's like those of the 5998's (Top getter, bottom and top getter etc).  Just that the only pictures I have seen are all clear tops as far as I can recall.    I think they are probably selected 5998's or MAYBE there was some minor "tweaking" done specific to the WE 421A that doesnt show in visible construction difference.  OR, maybe the clear tops just supposedly sound better/different ... I cant personally hear any sonic difference between my different 5998's.  And none of this is my saying that there isnt any sonic difference between 5998 and 421A.   But Im personally never going to find out unless one drops in my lap.  Just too rich for my wallet.  I'll have to live with the 5998 :-)