New production 5Y3?

[dynaman]

Who makes a real one? I tried a Sovtek that didn't drop squat for voltage. I believe someone here kindly informed me that the Sovtek wasn't a true 5Y3.

[FYL]

Who makes a real one?

No one. But there are plenty of NOS models around at very decent prices.

[FunkyE9th]

I like NOS 6087 when I can find them.

[212Mavguy]

I like vintage mil stock with a "w" in the tube suffix like 5y3wgt or 5y3wgtb/6087, my fave is the Bendix Red Bank 6106.

[FunkyE9th]

Interesting...Looks like JJ is coming out with a 5Y3. Supposed to have the voltage drop of a real 5y3. Will definitely give it a try when it becomes available.

[David Root]

Like FYL says, why bother at $15-$20 for real NOS quality?

[FunkyE9th]

I think it's worth trying out just to see if it actually performs like a 5Y3. Always good to have options.

[Phil_S]

You can buy them here. I think you'll need to get three of them to make his minimum. If you are OK with used, you can get a whole box of them.
http://www.oldradioparts.com/pg1.htm

[dynaman]

You can buy them here. I think you'll need to get three of them to make his minimum. If you are OK with used, you can get a whole box of them.
http://www.oldradioparts.com/pg1.htm

Great link - thanks for posting! I wound up scooping up a half dozen from a local fella for $20. They're not NOS, but they tested great.

5Y3s seem to last forever so I've no qualms about buying used. At those prices, I'll surely be placing an order from PTOP in the near future!

[selloutrr]

great link I just shot an email for some pricing to stock up on tubes.

I'm not sure if i over looked it but what brands of tubes are they?

[Phil_S]

great link I just shot an email for some pricing to stock up on tubes.

I'm not sure if i over looked it but what brands of tubes are they?

You will have a bit of an experience with Gary. DId you put the word "Radio" in the subject line of your email? No? Be prepared to be chastised. I ignore that sort of thing. He's, let's say, quirky. He has cheap tubes. You get whatever brand he sends. I have no idea if he will accommodate a request for a particular brand. Due to perceived quirkiness, I did not think he was going to be receptive to brand pickiness, so I didn't ask. At those prices, WTH?

Once in a while I get transformers from him. Sometimes I've filled out an order with used tubes to make the minimum sale amount. I think you should expect GE. If you get RCA, Sylvania, Tung Sol, or whatever, you'll be pleasantly surprised.

I'm surprised you guys never found that one!

[selloutrr]

I didn't put radio in the subject he probably wont even reply.
I sent him a rather detailed email asking for prices for a few INQ. and Several others numbers that were not listed.
Maybe he wont be so Quirky since it's over a 100pc. order.

Thanks for the heads up!
If they are used Old Stock that's great! Vintage tubes far out last new production. USA made tubes are solid.

I'm happy with pretty much any brand I just prefer they not be Chinese manufactured. The Chinese tubes I've come in contact with / used remind me of a commercial I saw a few years back where an exotic sports car pulls up to the pump at the fill station, fills the tank, hits the gas and goes a few feet and the needle is back on empty.
Most tube life can be measured in months if not years.
The batch of Chinese tubes I purchased lasted about 1/3 as long as the sovteks or JJ's.

[FunkyE9th]

Thanks for the link! Those are some really good prices.

[dynaman]

Ya know, I do remember viewing his list when I once tried to Google the specs of an unknown power tranny. My eyeballs started to bleed while viewing his list so I closed the window!

[Phil_S]

His transformer lists are .txt files. The can be downloaded into Excel and parsed into columns (text to columns function). It does not always work perfectly, but you can then sort, delete, resort, until you have a short list.

Man, am I ever sorry I gave away this secret. You'll clean him out and then he'll be gone.