NOS valves in a Croft preamp. A 'wow' moment!

[pankon]

Hi Oliver,

I have purchased my NOS Tesla E83CC from Jac van de Walle in Germany. His website is http://www.jacmusic.com. It was a pleasure to do business with him, as he is a very knowledgeable guy.

Cheers,
Panos

Gents,
I would like to try some Tesla ECC83 32's in my Croft 25R, put have been put off so far due to not wanting to buy "fakes".
Could you please advise where you purchased yours from, or any good sources in the UK (not EBay) ?

I currently use new issue Genelex Gold Lions in the phono stage, Yellow print Sylvania 12BH7A in the linestage & Nos Mullards in the
power supply.

Thanks in advance
Oliver

[Jimbo]

Yep,

he is also a very reliable supplier of NOS valves and quite an authority on genuine vs fake valves.

[OD1]

Thanks Guys,
I have ordered a matched pair from Mullardman, will update (if ok with you Pankon ?) in this thread once received.
I think I will have to resist looking in on Aos for at least 3 months, it is hitting my pocket HARD
At least my ears are enjoying the journey

Now where did I hide my screwdriver to open the Croft ?

Oliver

[pankon]

Oliver,

please feel free to update this thread with your opinion about the valves you will install in your Croft preamp. Which valves will you be replacing? Standard JJ ECC83S?

Cheers,
Panos

Thanks Guys,
I have ordered a matched pair from Mullardman, will update (if ok with you Pankon ?) in this thread once received.
I think I will have to resist looking in on Aos for at least 3 months, it is hitting my pocket HARD
At least my ears are enjoying the journey

Now where did I hide my screwdriver to open the Croft ?

Oliver

[User211]

The cream of the crop of the Teslas have cross sword markings.

TBH the yellow print ECC803S 32 is as good as the Telefunken ECC803S. I know as I owned both. The Teles cost a fortune, but I made money on them. They are no better IMHO, they sound almost exactly the same. Extremely close.

I have a quad of cross sword yellow print E88CC 32s and they are fantastic. Paid around £120 for them but they are getting scarce, so I'd expect more for those now.

[Jimbo]

The cream of the crop of the Teslas have cross sword markings.

TBH the yellow print ECC803S 32 is as good as the Telefunken ECC803S. I know as I owned both. The Teles cost a fortune, but I made money on them. They are no better IMHO, they sound almost exactly the same. Extremely close.

I have a quad of cross sword yellow print E88CC 32s and they are fantastic. Paid around £120 for them but they are getting scarce, so I'd expect more for those now.

Is that £120 for 4 or each valve? I may be interested in buying a pair off you.

[pankon]

By the way, Justin, are they NOS or used (simply Old Stock)?

Is that £120 for 4 or each valve? I may be interested in buying a pair off you.

[User211]

No I am using them - none for sale! They were £120 for 4 and totally NOS.

Bear in mind they are E88CC cross sword, not E83CC.

You can find some cross swords on ebay - now.

[User211]

When I said I'd expect more for them - I actually meant I'd expect them to cost more from someone commercial seller, if that was the misunderstanding.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2x-TESLA-E...IAAOSwsN9XCtJW

[pankon]

My NOS Tesla were actually manufactured in August 1982, according to their marking on the glass (IH). Although not of the oldest Teslas, however the sound is magnificent. Perhaps it has to do with their frame grid construction, which -in the view of several experts- make a big difference.

In any case, they were a big improvement over my stock ECC83 valves (HRS and Ei).