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Western Electric 422A 115% 5u4 WE 274A 274 grey plate rectifier strong in box Nov, 1950

List price: $900.00
$590.00
You save: $310.00 (34%)
tubewe422a15
Out-of-stock
Add to wish list

A vintage,  strong, low hrs single WE 422A rectifier tube.  This tests very strong, over 115% of new performance , inspected on both a calibrated TV7 & JAckson 648S at full load.

 1st Generation , grey plate, dating from November/ December 1950. This tube features all of the performance and amazing quality of the best 1950's production tubes. Not until later in the  mid/late 1960's did WE change over to dark black plates. The WE 422A is one of the finest octal ST shape, 5U4 style rectifiers ever made -- upgrading your equipment with this tube will result in very noticable improvements to the sound.  The 1950's and early 1960's era of these tubes are now selling at a true premium -- and getting quite scarce. They feature 30mm tall, heavy grey (rather than the later black) plates and are of the earliest / first generation of the 422A. The 422A was introuduced in the late 1940s as a octal based replacement for the aging, now legendary 274B.

WE 422A's are somewhat rare to see, and having each side of plates matching is a treasure as well -- this  according to both calibrated testers (see Exhibit B & C) making this tube a superior buy -- it will sell quickly for this reason. If you need a set for your mono block amp, preamp or power supply this is one of the best units you'll ever see -- and it's one of the old ones from  right at the end of the first generation of the grey plates... December, 52week  1950.

Cosmetically nice, this tube has a few slight flaws marring on it's base -- a fine vertical line and a rub spot, (see exhibit H) presents beautifully ... phenolic BASE is  TIGHT, SOLID, and STURDY. The yellow ink letters show the age of 50 years, but are still very legible..with all codes. The flashing is thick in the center, showing deposits at the perimeter, normal for even new tubes oth this era.  Perfect like new performance, maxing out on it's tests, matching the performance of NOS expectations (see included reports below Exhibit A,B,C,E,F). 

Overall a beautiful tube.  Included is the original WE box with cotton excelsior packing. Tube has been tested (3 times) on calibrated testers -- each time tube tested like new ... performing on a calibrated TV7 at 60/60 where the minimum value is 40 -- and 115%/115% per side ++ on a calibrated Jackson 648 at full load. No shorts, or gas. -- NOS / NIB level performance -- this is a Low hours tube, it's stable, functions well, and scored exemplary on it's projected life test..

The WE 422A may be the best ever 5U4 upgrade design - it's a direct plug-in for most later 5U4's with octal bases. It is not a plug-in for 274's or early 5U4G's because their bases are different even though the 422A will work fine with a base converter. These are of excellent vintage construction...old type heavy grey plates,1x side D getter,tight base and strong yellow print ... 54 years old .. Western Electric Bell System, the real McCoy! 

 Simply one of the best recifiers ever made, even compared to the WE274 A/B. These are really magical sounding in circuit, preamps, amps and mono blocks.  Will sell quickly as they are very hard to find ... and in the past 5 years they've approximately doubled in value ... for good reason, they have the real WECO sound.

Just listened to it....this tube sounds wonderful. 

Upgrading rectifers does make  a significant  difference in sound. I favor these over every 5U4 varient except 274B! If you can use 5Z3 I also like early Cunningham and Sylvania green leaf -- still the 422A is simply in a much higher league! -- you will not ever regret owning this wondeful tube.   

 When compared to most regular 5U4's .... the 422A brings amazing focus, allot of detail and a tight, clean bass.  These beautiful tubes are Guaranteed no DOA. The 422A is so useful, it's fairly easy to predict, with continued trends it will be double again in value after 10 years.  Truly great sound, one... if not the best octal base rectifiers we've ever heard in our WE 91 SE amps.   All documents shown with tubes are included.  100% safe packing in TRIPLE box. -- Totally professional, the best packing you'll ever receive (see our feedback on WE items) .   

All vintage USA audio 1930s ~ 1980s

Save 34%

Western Electric 422A 115% 5u4 WE 274A 274 grey plate rectifier strong in box Nov, 1950

List price: $900.00
$590.00
You save: $310.00 (34%)
tubewe422a15
Out-of-stock
Add to wish list

A vintage,  strong, low hrs single WE 422A rectifier tube.  This tests very strong, over 115% of new performance , inspected on both a calibrated TV7 & JAckson 648S at full load.

 1st Generation , grey plate, dating from November/ December 1950. This tube features all of the performance and amazing quality of the best 1950's production tubes. Not until later in the  mid/late 1960's did WE change over to dark black plates. The WE 422A is one of the finest octal ST shape, 5U4 style rectifiers ever made -- upgrading your equipment with this tube will result in very noticable improvements to the sound.  The 1950's and early 1960's era of these tubes are now selling at a true premium -- and getting quite scarce. They feature 30mm tall, heavy grey (rather than the later black) plates and are of the earliest / first generation of the 422A. The 422A was introuduced in the late 1940s as a octal based replacement for the aging, now legendary 274B.

WE 422A's are somewhat rare to see, and having each side of plates matching is a treasure as well -- this  according to both calibrated testers (see Exhibit B & C) making this tube a superior buy -- it will sell quickly for this reason. If you need a set for your mono block amp, preamp or power supply this is one of the best units you'll ever see -- and it's one of the old ones from  right at the end of the first generation of the grey plates... December, 52week  1950.

Cosmetically nice, this tube has a few slight flaws marring on it's base -- a fine vertical line and a rub spot, (see exhibit H) presents beautifully ... phenolic BASE is  TIGHT, SOLID, and STURDY. The yellow ink letters show the age of 50 years, but are still very legible..with all codes. The flashing is thick in the center, showing deposits at the perimeter, normal for even new tubes oth this era.  Perfect like new performance, maxing out on it's tests, matching the performance of NOS expectations (see included reports below Exhibit A,B,C,E,F). 

Overall a beautiful tube.  Included is the original WE box with cotton excelsior packing. Tube has been tested (3 times) on calibrated testers -- each time tube tested like new ... performing on a calibrated TV7 at 60/60 where the minimum value is 40 -- and 115%/115% per side ++ on a calibrated Jackson 648 at full load. No shorts, or gas. -- NOS / NIB level performance -- this is a Low hours tube, it's stable, functions well, and scored exemplary on it's projected life test..

The WE 422A may be the best ever 5U4 upgrade design - it's a direct plug-in for most later 5U4's with octal bases. It is not a plug-in for 274's or early 5U4G's because their bases are different even though the 422A will work fine with a base converter. These are of excellent vintage construction...old type heavy grey plates,1x side D getter,tight base and strong yellow print ... 54 years old .. Western Electric Bell System, the real McCoy! 

 Simply one of the best recifiers ever made, even compared to the WE274 A/B. These are really magical sounding in circuit, preamps, amps and mono blocks.  Will sell quickly as they are very hard to find ... and in the past 5 years they've approximately doubled in value ... for good reason, they have the real WECO sound.

Just listened to it....this tube sounds wonderful. 

Upgrading rectifers does make  a significant  difference in sound. I favor these over every 5U4 varient except 274B! If you can use 5Z3 I also like early Cunningham and Sylvania green leaf -- still the 422A is simply in a much higher league! -- you will not ever regret owning this wondeful tube.   

 When compared to most regular 5U4's .... the 422A brings amazing focus, allot of detail and a tight, clean bass.  These beautiful tubes are Guaranteed no DOA. The 422A is so useful, it's fairly easy to predict, with continued trends it will be double again in value after 10 years.  Truly great sound, one... if not the best octal base rectifiers we've ever heard in our WE 91 SE amps.   All documents shown with tubes are included.  100% safe packing in TRIPLE box. -- Totally professional, the best packing you'll ever receive (see our feedback on WE items) .