03-25-2012, 09:33 PM
Once the smoke cleared from WW II, the Japanese began to want the things that we had, and in some instances, to build their own. Certain tubes, such as the 45 and 50 were the first to be drained. I've seen "picker agents" in our radio meets, sucking up all of the stuff that the Japs pay richly for. If you want a shock, look at what a pair of Western Electric 300C tubes go for!!
Along with the 45 and 50 tubes, they also went heavily for the high ticket audio stuff, such as McIntosh, Marantz, Brook, and a few other good brands.
Fortunately, I had enough 45 and 50 tubes to supply my own sets. Some of that was foresight, but most of it was just laying in a stock of service parts for the sets I had.
Along with the 45 and 50 tubes, they also went heavily for the high ticket audio stuff, such as McIntosh, Marantz, Brook, and a few other good brands.
Fortunately, I had enough 45 and 50 tubes to supply my own sets. Some of that was foresight, but most of it was just laying in a stock of service parts for the sets I had.
(03-25-2012, 01:18 AM)Jayce Wrote:(03-25-2012, 12:57 AM)TA Forbes Wrote: Hello, Jay: very nice set! I have never had a set with 50 output tubes, but have heard they are pretty good. Just hope you never have to replace them!!!
I hope I never have to either. Previous owner rigged up a ballast resistor to drop the voltage a bit to save on things. I have read a couple places that the reason 50s are so high is that the Japanese sucked up most of them several years ago. Is that true?