Some of you may recall years ago when there was inventory of the Sony
VFETs still to be had in Singapore. After purchasing some (soon to
appear here on diyAudio as the last of the DIY Sony VFET amp kits)
I posted a note advising people to buy some while they still could.
Those people are probably happy they did.
Now it looks to me like the inventory of Tokin VFETs (2SK180, 2SK182 and
THF51S) will follow the same path. The stock is limited and they aren't
making any more, the Fukushima event having taken Tokin out.
I am contemplating a couple of projects using them, and I advise anyone
who wants to play to acquire them while you still can. All three part
types are usable and most applications would not require matching.
On Ebay watanabletomoaki and pras1170 are known reliable sources.
At this time tomoaki has the lower price at $60 each.
VFETs still to be had in Singapore. After purchasing some (soon to
appear here on diyAudio as the last of the DIY Sony VFET amp kits)
I posted a note advising people to buy some while they still could.
Those people are probably happy they did.
Now it looks to me like the inventory of Tokin VFETs (2SK180, 2SK182 and
THF51S) will follow the same path. The stock is limited and they aren't
making any more, the Fukushima event having taken Tokin out.
I am contemplating a couple of projects using them, and I advise anyone
who wants to play to acquire them while you still can. All three part
types are usable and most applications would not require matching.
On Ebay watanabletomoaki and pras1170 are known reliable sources.
At this time tomoaki has the lower price at $60 each.
yup
SissySIT R.3 , made for accommodation of any Ugs SIT, is fully developed, and I'm ordering pcbs soon, as logical step in verification of same.
Of course, performances are the same, be it origin one, R.2 or upcoming R.3
By my experience, Pras is able to find used ones in quantity, and these are verified as real deal once when tested in sorting/matching jig by Pras
regarding matching - Pa sez not critical - again, by my experience - if you have them close by Ugs, that's "just" one more step in direction of having similar performing ones in two channels; your choice
yeah, go get them, while you can (maybe even Modesty ZM will have project or two more, with Biguns)
SissySIT R.3 , made for accommodation of any Ugs SIT, is fully developed, and I'm ordering pcbs soon, as logical step in verification of same.
Of course, performances are the same, be it origin one, R.2 or upcoming R.3
By my experience, Pras is able to find used ones in quantity, and these are verified as real deal once when tested in sorting/matching jig by Pras
regarding matching - Pa sez not critical - again, by my experience - if you have them close by Ugs, that's "just" one more step in direction of having similar performing ones in two channels; your choice
yeah, go get them, while you can (maybe even Modesty ZM will have project or two more, with Biguns)
Thank You very much Mr. Pass 
Yes is incredible lucky SITuation Diyers have them still available
1pc 2SK182ES (2SK77,2SK180,THF-51S)TOKIN SIT (V-FET) NOS Original | eBay
Even used rusty Tokin triodes was highly appreciated in 2015 year
and today 2021 we have New Old Stock , tested
and curves traced in option
Hockey Puck SIT 2SK180 by Tokin source NOS
Pras1170 shop etc. https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?rmv...307&afsrc=1&_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=Tokin+SIT
Yes is incredible lucky SITuation Diyers have them still available
1pc 2SK182ES (2SK77,2SK180,THF-51S)TOKIN SIT (V-FET) NOS Original | eBay
Even used rusty Tokin triodes was highly appreciated in 2015 year
and today 2021 we have New Old Stock , tested
and curves traced in option
Hockey Puck SIT 2SK180 by Tokin source NOSPras1170 shop etc. https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?rmv...307&afsrc=1&_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=Tokin+SIT
Attachments
Except when you are Nelson Pass and those designs use superior silicon for which there is no replacement.
from which perspective?
define obsolete, in proper context
define "audio" in your nick, so we can put your claim in proper perspective
The part it isn't obsolete at all , it's just old , like many of us , and fact is , for many of us we are not ( that ) obsolete
.
Just when I wanted to start saving
Not that I have a time to make anything right now with them anyway, my singing bush kit is waiting silently for it's chance to sing.
But who am I to question master's advice. I cannot resist to order some extra.
Regarding obsolete parts: 01A tube is celebrating it's 100 years and oh my, what sound it produce!
Not that I have a time to make anything right now with them anyway, my singing bush kit is waiting silently for it's chance to sing.
But who am I to question master's advice. I cannot resist to order some extra.
Regarding obsolete parts: 01A tube is celebrating it's 100 years and oh my, what sound it produce!
Not produced actualy but availabe at reasonable price with highly futuristic audio parameters
make a lots of sense..specially with modern Mr.Pass design.
USA Western Electric Company still produce 300B triodes
and Elrog in Germany many contemporary versions of 845 and 211 and more..
who think was possible in the 80's or 90's ?
Oh and in my town big music shops sale a bunch of the recordings on the shine bright new vinyls today year 2021
Surprise!Edit:
Pioneers 50´s classic Germaniums transistors use todays make sense as well
for entertainement and very little know audio quality reproduction character ,
is a sort of the ecology friendly old school tech transistors recycling good for Mother Earth and build amplifiers who
can be repaired in the future with relatively long lifespan compared to mass audio market products
The part it isn't obsolete at all , it's just old , like many of us , and fact is , for many of us we are not ( that ) obsolete
.
+ zillion
I still like designing around tubes and will never stop. Cant get more obsolete than that
Enjoy 
That interesting news 
