Sino tubes?

PraiseCaster · July 1st, 2007, 04:19 PM

I have never heard of Sino before. Saw these, and I'm just curious (that dont mean I'm gonna buy, just curious):

http://store.tubedepot.com/si-12ax7a.html

What are your thoughts/opinions?

TexGoneNW · July 1st, 2007, 08:30 PM

Looks like a generic Chinese tube with a name that implies its origin (Sino=Chinese). Not sure if that's an actual brand name or something that Tube Depot chose to call ones that they or someone else imported. It'd be good to call them and probe deeper.

Sourcing from China is very tricky business. The businesses can turn on a dime, change names, change their line of business, change who is running them.

If an importer strikes up business and secures some semblance of stability, and takes appropriate steps for quality assurance around the product, it can be acceptable, good, or even outstanding. China is doing a much better job of bringing their quality up to par in a number of areas. Just not sure about this particular supply.

Some folks have made a living out of checking out batches of tubes from China, sorting through, and selling the good ones. The unit price as purchased from manufacturer probably allows for a good bit of work to be done without goosing the price up too much.

TexGoneNW · July 1st, 2007, 08:39 PM

AHA! More details from the site, and an interesting turn of phrase:

Typically manufactured in the Shuguang factory in China, Sino Chinese tubes have seen vast improvements over what was available just a few years ago.

Initially, there was pretty inconsistent quality, but (as with other Chinese-sourced products), it appears that the manufacturer has closed in on what the customer desires...or so we might be led to believe.

Heck, they're cheap enough at $9 a pop. Buy a couple and compare to JJ's.

nonvintage · July 1st, 2007, 10:16 PM

I wonder how the new Mullard 12ax7 reissue is. Not the Groove tube but the new EH/Sovtek one.

PraiseCaster · July 1st, 2007, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nonvintage

I wonder how the new Mullard 12ax7 reissue is. Not the Groove tube but the new EH/Sovtek one.

Well, I keep hearing great things about the new Tung Sol 12AX7's, and those I'm gonna go for.

I'm considering getting three more Sino's just to check out (my amp runs hot, so tubes are just plug and play for me: no biasing required).

trdlasvegas · July 2nd, 2007, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nonvintage

I wonder how the new Mullard 12ax7 reissue is. Not the Groove tube but the new EH/Sovtek one.

What Mullard 12AX7 reissue are you talking about?

-Tony

nonvintage · July 2nd, 2007, 10:43 AM

Tony, Mike Matthews makes a Reissue Russian made Mullard 12ax7. I've been aware of them for a few weeks now. Doug's tubes has/had them.

July 1st, 2007, 04:19 PM	#1 (permalink)
PraiseCaster Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Whittier, California Posts: 4,228 16 Photos	Sino tubes? I have never heard of Sino before. Saw these, and I'm just curious (that dont mean I'm gonna buy, just curious): http://store.tubedepot.com/si-12ax7a.html What are your thoughts/opinions? __________________ Later! PraiseCaster Visit Guitarists Praise and Worship Forum!! Dance Like David, MySpace

July 1st, 2007, 08:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
TexGoneNW Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Victoria, TX Age: 50 Posts: 907 4 Photos	Looks like a generic Chinese tube with a name that implies its origin (Sino=Chinese). Not sure if that's an actual brand name or something that Tube Depot chose to call ones that they or someone else imported. It'd be good to call them and probe deeper. Sourcing from China is very tricky business. The businesses can turn on a dime, change names, change their line of business, change who is running them. If an importer strikes up business and secures some semblance of stability, and takes appropriate steps for quality assurance around the product, it can be acceptable, good, or even outstanding. China is doing a much better job of bringing their quality up to par in a number of areas. Just not sure about this particular supply. Some folks have made a living out of checking out batches of tubes from China, sorting through, and selling the good ones. The unit price as purchased from manufacturer probably allows for a good bit of work to be done without goosing the price up too much.

July 1st, 2007, 08:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
TexGoneNW Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Victoria, TX Age: 50 Posts: 907 4 Photos	AHA! More details from the site, and an interesting turn of phrase: Typically manufactured in the Shuguang factory in China, Sino Chinese tubes have seen vast improvements over what was available just a few years ago. Initially, there was pretty inconsistent quality, but (as with other Chinese-sourced products), it appears that the manufacturer has closed in on what the customer desires...or so we might be led to believe. Heck, they're cheap enough at $9 a pop. Buy a couple and compare to JJ's.

July 1st, 2007, 10:16 PM	#4 (permalink)
nonvintage Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 465	I wonder how the new Mullard 12ax7 reissue is. Not the Groove tube but the new EH/Sovtek one.

July 2nd, 2007, 10:43 AM	#7 (permalink)
nonvintage Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 465	Tony, Mike Matthews makes a Reissue Russian made Mullard 12ax7. I've been aware of them for a few weeks now. Doug's tubes has/had them.