Northern Electric tubes - opinions?
- Thread starter Mingo
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
dogscanskate
Super Member
Northern Electric was a canadian partner of Western Electric before becoming Nortel. Their quality is comparable to anything Western Electric was doing. Tubes made in Canada back then were of the highest quality and you can buy with confidence. I actually worked in their cable division in the late 60's early 70's, it was a great company!
Unless you're referring to NOS, Northern Electric tubes are made in China. Nothing to do with Canada whatsoever. I think you'll be better off with Western made tubes like JJ.
Jack
Jack
Yes. Seems to be relabeled tubes from various, unstated, off-shore manufacturers.
I haven't seen a Canadian-made tube since the 1970s.
Last edited:
I think the company that is using the name, and selling newly manufactured tubes, today is Canadian.
But, I don't think that the tubes are made in Canada.
From the tubestore:
The original owners, Bell Canada and Western Electric, formed this company to produce telephone and audio equipment including vacuum tubes. Western Electric licensed their designs, processes, and technology to Northern Electric for the first fifty years of their production.
We have re-introduced this classic brand and bring to you the highest quality audio tubes possible. We are working together with small, foreign tube manufacturers to produce exceptionally high quality versions of common vacuum tubes. And while these manufacturers are not well known, they are the “Ferrari” of tube manufacturing and design. Their immaculately clean factories house state of the art, high precision equipment.
Upon arrival in Canada, each tube is rigorously tested in a three-stage process for noise and electrical functionality. Tubes passing this are then printed and packaged for sale with an extended 6-month warranty.
We are excited and pleased to present our new reissue Northern Electric audio tubes.
The original owners, Bell Canada and Western Electric, formed this company to produce telephone and audio equipment including vacuum tubes. Western Electric licensed their designs, processes, and technology to Northern Electric for the first fifty years of their production.
We have re-introduced this classic brand and bring to you the highest quality audio tubes possible. We are working together with small, foreign tube manufacturers to produce exceptionally high quality versions of common vacuum tubes. And while these manufacturers are not well known, they are the “Ferrari” of tube manufacturing and design. Their immaculately clean factories house state of the art, high precision equipment.
Upon arrival in Canada, each tube is rigorously tested in a three-stage process for noise and electrical functionality. Tubes passing this are then printed and packaged for sale with an extended 6-month warranty.
We are excited and pleased to present our new reissue Northern Electric audio tubes.
Even good NOS 6SL7GT are getting $$$.
You can still get NOS GE's for $25 a piece. But I'm actually kind of interested in trying these Northern Electrics.
Multiplying NOS 6SN7GT tubes are a good thing. Any of those high testing Tungsol (USA) round plates?
Last edited:
dogscanskate
Super Member
Thanks for the heads up, I forgot about the new NE. It's my bad as I was talking about tubes manufactured before the 70's lol and totally forgot about the new company. These tubes may not be NOS but rather chinese.
Thanks for getting the thread back on track!
no idea, I don't have an inventory and currently own only a single mono amp that even uses them. On my list is to clone it so I'll have a use for a grand total of 4 tubes. I actually found several more last night when looking for a different tube. I found an empty box for the tube I was after, so my best guess is they spawn from 6SC7's.Multiplying NOS 6SN7GT tubes are a good thing. Any of those high testing Tungsol (USA) round plates?
View attachment 3037062
I was asked to decommission a large Allen church organ about 15 years ago. Part were for my taking. There were 150 6SN7's in that organ of multiple brands but mostly chrome top Sylvania's Of those that I've used so far they test excellent and well matched side to side. Allen ran them at about 5.7V on the filament and they lasted a long time. Since then quite a few more have come to me. I have several amps that use them but at the rate I use the amps I'll have to live to 500 years old to use them up. Looking for projects.
Better to have too many, than not enough --- in this economy. Chrome-top Sylvania 6SN7s are primo stuff, especially the taller than normal GT tubes.
I really like round plate TS 6SN7 and 6SL7. Black plates.
Warm tones. Not that clinical, super detailed sound you get out of later and modern ones.
Reminds me, have I already asked you about the TS 6SU7GTY (6SL7GT/6188 sub)? Very nice tube, too.
maxhifi
Addicted Member
Northern Electric, unlike Western Electric, also made consumer products like radios, phonographs, and early TVs. The tubes used in those early consumer electronics are not the super special telephone quality tubes like Western Electric made, but rather normal consumer grade early 20th century tubes.
