Tube rolling newbie- how to choose NOS tubes

But you would not know if not trying and that is a part of the game.

... of fleecing the uneducated.

Thanks all for your advice, I'm learning a lot.  This is my first experience with tubes so I'm in experimental mode to understand the sonic differences between tubes. I'll also be using my DAP as a SS desktop dac/amp to sonically compare. 

@kennyc 

Read the descriptions at the top of Brent Jessee's page.

As a tube newbie myself, I’m more than happy to pay up a bit for a reputable tube expert with a reasonable return policy to point me in the right direction and who will likely save me considerable time and $$$ from buying either the wrong or bad tubes.  I’d just make sure to have a price point in mind going in and communicate that upfront because this can get silly expensive, especially if you don’t know yet what your doing or what tubes are really worth.  Great advice here that I’ll definitely use myself. 

I would spend some time reading different forums as some have suggested. Just search for the type of tube you’re looking for in the application you’re using it. It’s amazing what you can learn from others especially their mistakes. I’m still a novice so I like learning from others. NOS tubes are not always what they’re cracked up go be. I’m not saying to avoid them but it’s a cost/benefit situation. Is that $150.00 NOS tube worth three times as much over good current production tubes? Does your system warrant the expenditure? You’re in the same realm as cables here. My best advice is read, read, read.