NOS Tubes--Are they worth it? or accurate?

Tailoring your systems sound by changing tubes can be very rewarding, although I've relied on experts for tube recommendations and have only purchased tubes from reputable dealers. I think they are probably getting better at NEW tubes than several years back, but I've had good success both with NOS power tubes in amps, as well as NOS preamp output tubes. Hey, it is part of the fun of messing around with the glowing bottles. I heard a more refined sound, and considered it a good investment towards audio bliss.

Hi Saxo; interesting thread: Paragraph by paragraph:
1. I agree and prefer to not buy tubes from anyone except a reputable dealer, and am willing to pay the price-- some of which is for piece of mind.

2. I found a type of NOS tube that sounds great in my pre-amp, and it was worth it to me to then buy 3 full sets (6 tubes/set) at $150. per set. If I could find present production tubes that I liked as well, I would certainly purchase and enjoy them-- assuming an acceptable price.

3. As you are the tube component owner, you only have to please yourself. As long as the replacement tubes (new or NOS) are electrically compatible with your component, choose tubes that YOU like and don't be particularly concerned with what the designer was aiming for. Afterall, he was probably trying to please as many people as possible. Only you can decide what is pleasant to you.

4. The designers idea of sonic accuracy may not be the same as yours. Further, the designers tube component may sound different with your components/speakers/wires/room than it does in his design system. Also, you may choose to deviate from absolute sonic accuracy (whatever that is) and choose something that is more pleasant to you in your system.

Personally, I like a somewhat warm, timbrally rich, full bodied sound because that's the way music sounds to me (I don't like that big bloomy, euphonic sound that some tubes produce). But some like a leaner more detailed-- or other sonic presentation-- there's no accounting for taste! When a professional reviewer describes a component as "accurate", take it with a grain of salt IMO. Only you can decide what is accurate and pleasing to you. Cheers. Craig

No one said adopting tube amps is easy. Finding tubes that work well is a demanding undertaking, especially with the NOS's. Some that you find are gems, some are dogs, some work well with this but terrible with that, some die quick and painless, others explode in a great fanfare, and so on. But this is part of the hobby which, in a mad way, is what the fun is all about. Much like a high maintenance girl friend.

BTW, amps are not designed around NOS tubes because their availability and quality cannot be counted on as being consistent enough to be used in a product line.

Yah they are worth it if you are willing to accept dissapointment now and then. You may not hit it on the mark the first time,so be patient and use dealers with good feedback or people you trust to deal with.
When designing these peices,manufacturers use tubes that are currently available,due to cost reasons,and sound consistencies.Manufacturers must have to have on hand many replacement sets available to customers,so thats probably why the must use generic tubes.
It is fun to try to squeeze out more performence,but its at a price. Time and Money!