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[N4NOO]

What on earth has happened to the prices of these tubes?  I was looking at replacement prices and they are now around $899 each.  Do they have 1/2 oz of gold or what?  I would love to know the real reason they are so very expensive.

Thanks,

Rick - N4NOO

[K0CWO]

30 years ago a gallon of gas cost 99 cents.  I'd really like to know what happened there too.  How about an ear of corn?  On the other hand, what happened to the price of real estate.  Let me know when you guys figure it out.

[W1BR]

Thankfully gas is still being refined or it would be 20 bucks a gallon.

When RF Parts says "back in stock, limited supply" kind of bodes that no one is producing these gems.
Especially with no Chinese knockoffs are on their list and only Eimacs are listed. The availability and price
of the 3CX800 has generated a lot of discussion for 425 owners.

Pete

[W8JX]

The pricing on these tubes is purely what market will support. In a few years this could sound cheap.

[K6AER]

The tube pricing on the 3CX800A7 has little to do with support and a lot more to do with demand. There is almost no demand for the tube.  This tube used to be used for low power TV and FM stations and was a favorite for the MRI industry. Then it was cheep and of course the hams picked it for amplifiers.  That is all gone now and has been replaced by solid state devices. As a result the only folks using the tube are the hamsters.  Hams don’t buy enough amplifiers to justify a two week run.

With such low demand the tube is being produced by Eimac (One production run per year) and Chinese factory number two. Penta labs has a Chinese import ($450) but the tubes work very poorly (high grid current). $990 is the going Eimac price. There are no pulls anymore and if you lucky you might find one in someone’s drawer.

There is no direct replacement  unless you increase the anode voltage and then you can use the 8877. Much modification will be needed for the amplifier with the 8877. Cooling demands are higher along with the filament supply.

Hams need to understand when technology passes the beloved equipment into the non support realm it is time to sell the equipment.

[KK3AN]

Not to turn this into an ad, but we have 130+ new (2011 / 2012 production year) 3CPX800A7's in stock now - $695 each. CPI / Eimac originals.

I'm buying in quantity to keep costs reasonable.

http://www.dedicatedrf.com/tube.html

Dan  KK3AN

[K6AER]

Dan,

Call me. 303 246-3518

Mike - K6AER

[W4VR]

When demand falls, the price goes up.  Notice that Alpha Power does not use these tubes in their new amps.  I decided to make the switch to solid state 11 years ago because the tubes were getting too darn expensive.  I had an Alpha 89 for about 10 years; when I bought it I also bought two spare 3CX800A7s at $350 each.  The longer you wait to buy them the more you have to spend.  In the 10 years I had the 89 one tube went south due to an intermittent inter-element short; glad I had two spares.  I sold the amp with one spare left.

[KG4NEL]

When demand falls, the price goes up.  Notice that Alpha Power does not use these tubes in their new amps.  I decided to make the switch to solid state 11 years ago because the tubes were getting too darn expensive.

This is what I've been thinking...the medium-power market for anything other than 811As seems to be getting displaced by SS.

[W8JX]

This is what I've been thinking...the medium-power market for anything other than 811As seems to be getting displaced by SS.

I would not say that. The 811 is the entry/poor mans amp. Medium power would be 572 amps and single 3-500z amps. I do not see 3-500z's going away or getting pricy for many years yet.

[ZENKI]

You can also blame Eimacs marketing  arrangement with Richards which guarantees that the prices will be higher than they need to be.

The 3cx800s are superbly linear tubes that are worth the money, simply put there is no competing copy or other tube brand that is as good.

Even surplus pulls will outlast new Chinese and Russian copies,

[W4VR]

This is what I've been thinking...the medium-power market for anything other than 811As seems to be getting displaced by SS.

I would not say that. The 811 is the entry/poor mans amp. Medium power would be 572 amps and single 3-500z amps. I do not see 3-500z's going away or getting pricy for many years yet.

I remember buying 3-500Z tubes in the late 60's for $35 each.  These were the ones with the graphite plates.  Today they cost $190 each. 

[W8JX]

I remember buying 3-500Z tubes in the late 60's for $35 each.  These were the ones with the graphite plates.  Today they cost $190 each. 

Yes but 35 bucks was worth a lot more back then too. You could pretty much do more/get more with 35 bucks in 60's than 190 today.

[K0CWO]

The Consumer Price Index calculator shows that $35 in 1969 equals $217 today.  Heck, at $190 the 3-500ZG is a bargain albeit they are made in Chana now.

http://146.142.4.24/cgi-bin/cpicalc.pl

[W4VR]

The Consumer Price Index calculator shows that $35 in 1969 equals $217 today.  Heck, at $190 the 3-500ZG is a bargain albeit they are made in Chana now.

http://146.142.4.24/cgi-bin/cpicalc.pl

That is indeed amazing that the tube costs less today.  I suppose the same could be said about the 3cx800...but I'm not so sure about that one.  Ceramic tube prices have sky-rocketed in recent years.  I still say, when your tubes die go solid state.