Northern Electric tubes - opinions?

[63pontiacgp]

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.

The one Northern Electric radio in my collection. From 1947.

Mike

 

[Mr Boochie]

The one Northern Electric radio in my collection. From 1947.

Mike

View attachment 3037309

In excellent condition. How'd you keep it that way?

Thanks!

 

[63pontiacgp]

In excellent condition. How'd you keep it that way?

Thanks!

Picked this one up years ago. Sometimes you find them in great condition.

Mike

 

[TriodeLuvr]

I've moved to 12V octals for most things. Been collecting them for years, now have dozens of NOS sleeves. This is one of the benefits of DIY.

Jack

 

[kward]

When the Tube Store reintroduced the Northern Electric brand of tubes several years ago, I callled them and asked the person who answered the phone where these tubes are manufactured. At that time he said they came from China, and the tubes were manufactured to their quality specs.

I largely lost interest when I learned they were manufactured in China (at that time). But I do believe these are excellent quality tubes, as advertised.

There are some really great sounding Chinese manufactured tubes such as the Shuguang black treasure CV-181T manufactured in their old plant before the fire.

As for the new production Northern Electric line, I can’t comment further as I’ve never heard nor tried them.

 

[Mr Boochie]

When the Tube Store reintroduced the Northern Electric brand of tubes several years ago, I callled them and asked the person who answered the phone where these tubes are manufactured. At that time he said they came from China, and the tubes were manufactured to their quality specs.

I largely lost interest when I learned they were manufactured in China (at that time). But I do believe these are excellent quality tubes, as advertised.

There are some really great sounding Chinese manufactured tubes such as the Shuguang black treasure CV-181T manufactured in their old plant before the fire.

As for the new production Northern Electric line, I can’t comment further as I’ve never heard nor tried them.

There are good Chinese made tubes. Sometimes you end up paying boutique, NOS-like prices for some.

At that point, I personally like to look for good NOS or low mileage vintage US or European made tubes. Especially, industrial or mil spec.

However, that's just me.

 

[63pontiacgp]

I've been very happy with the Psvane tubes.

Mike

 

[Jon S]

I really like my Psvane UK-6SN7 tubes. I am contemplating buying the Northern Electric 6SN7s as well. Jim at ValvesandMore said they are very good sounding tubes in his Tube Lab video #21 on YouTube.

 

[sKiZo]

The one Northern Electric radio in my collection. From 1947.

Mike

View attachment 3037309

Don't imagine you'd find any consumer warning stickers on it ...
... and as with many of these old beasts ... so ugly ... it's beautiful!
(Then again, I'm a fan of the Edsel, so I'd take that with a pound of salt, eh) <G>

One way to increase to popularity of the tube series?

BTW - the GZ37 rectifier right behind it is Canadian military surplus. As mentioned, some real gems are available (or were available) from the Great White. Also maybe worth mentioning - I've got a few "high end" 6sn7's, but IMHO, the common (read: cheap) RCA coin bases have amazing tonal characteristics for maybe $10-15 a pop.

 

[ceylon]

When the Tube Store reintroduced the Northern Electric brand of tubes several years ago, I callled them and asked the person who answered the phone where these tubes are manufactured. At that time he said they came from China, and the tubes were manufactured to their quality specs.

ive seen more than one construction of the same tube model rebranded by them, so theyre not always rebranding the same tubes. ive definitely seen leftover TJ fullmusic octals rebranded and overpriced by northern electric and sophia electric. sophia is still selling leftover 9-pins (12AX7 IIRC) on their website.

 

[Selmerdave]

Don't imagine you'd find any consumer warning stickers on it ...
... and as with many of these old beasts ... so ugly ... it's beautiful!
(Then again, I'm a fan of the Edsel, so I'd take that with a pound of salt, eh) <G>

One way to increase to popularity of the tube series?

BTW - the GZ37 rectifier right behind it is Canadian military surplus. As mentioned, some real gems are available (or were available) from the Great White. Also maybe worth mentioning - I've got a few "high end" 6sn7's, but IMHO, the common (read: cheap) RCA coin bases have amazing tonal characteristics for maybe $10-15 a pop.

One should be careful in that 6SN7 draws double the current compared to a 12au7, and it's unlikely many production devices were manufactured with that kind of margin, especially where typically there would be at least a pair. It "looks" like all you have to do is plug it in...

 

[THD+N]

Even good NOS 6SL7GT are getting $$$.

Even the Loctal equivalents are now getting up there both 7N and 14N versions.

 

[gadget73]

6CG7 would make more sense plugged into a 12AU7 socket. Physically its not nearly so awkward, while being electrically the same as a 6SN7. Also few things seem to use them so they're still cheap. Still needs an adapter or extremely minor heater circuit re-wiring could make it work. Instead of 4+5 and 9, its 4 and 5. Still, a 9 to 9 pin adapter is somewhat less chunky.

and +1 on the heater draw considerations.