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Advice about what to do with not-needed tubes?

I recently tried out a tube preamp that I had to return because of a buzz in one channel. Now I'm on the fence about repurchasing the same model or going "tubeless," since my particular system didn't really benefit from tubes more than a little bit and I can't afford to go with tubes whole hog. So, my question as a tube neophyte is, assuming I don't replace the unit, should I return the NOS tubes I bought back to the various resellers and pay the restocking fees, or would it be smarter to wait and sell them later? They're mainly 12at7s. Judging from discussion boards, tubes appreciate in value with scarcity. Not seeing a lot of gear that uses 12at7s, though, so I'm not sure about these. In particular, I've got some that are in white boxes because they were from bulk lots.
I'm also wondering about the fact that I'm a total unknown when I go to sell, so it'll just be my word plus pics as to the condition and "provenance" of the tubes. I'd appreciate any advice.

[I tried to post this before, listing the equipment, but it was declined. Trying again in more general terms, since it seems a perfectly appropriate question for the community, particularly given how many posts in this thread are about tubes as well as tube preamps/amps]
adlevision
wolf_garcia
6,686 posts
 
Whole hog...hmmm...This is an inappropriate post...kidding...heh heh...note that a LOT of amps use 12at7s (thousand of Jolidas for example). I suggest that while figuring this out, you mount them on a display with tiny LEDs under them and use them as art, make a tube cellphone, have a surgeon install a tube socket in your head so you can wear one (chicks dig this), and generally keep your head down so people forget this post and your credibility, such as it is, returns.
lostbears's avatar
lostbears
538 posts
 

I would just keep them if you might buy another tube preamp in the future. How many tubes are you talking about?

What preamp was it that you had a problem with? Since the buzz Was coming from one channel, did you try swapping the tubes to the other channel and see if the buzz followed the tubes? It could have been a bad tube.
timrhu
2,779 posts
 
I was in a similar situation a while back with 12AU7 tubes. I kept the pair I liked best (Sylvania 12au7WA) and sold the rest on ebay.
Glad I kept them as I recently built a Bottlehead Crack headphone amp which uses a 12AU7 tube.
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,620 posts
 
Since your system didn't benefit with tubes,you should return the tubes and go back to solid state.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,411 posts
 
You are not going to get any high offers selling them here or on ebay since they are in the white boxes and come from unknown sources. It would make a difference if you had a tube tester and could quote the test results.

If you are able to return the tubes to venders, then you'll get some money for them.

What I have done in the past, is if the white box has a vender's logo and the tube measurements on it, I will say how many hours that the tube was used (low hours) and put it up for sale. Some brands of NOS tubes will get you offers.
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