NOS tubes

@freediver  No argument from me about what you said above. If what you say is true, why all the fuss about buying NOS tubes rather than current production?  Because NOS adherents will use numerous adjectives to describe the sound of their gear with a particular NOS tube vs. another NOS tube, while bemoaning new production, I assume that they at least see something unique in their production and that it is not just a nostalgia movement for things from the 50's and 60's.

Not all NOS tubes sound better than current production. Some do.

You'd figure that with social media and instant feedback today, that some tube maker would realize that making a superior product would kill the competition. That's assuming anyone gives a crap anymore.

I got a set of electro harmonix 7591 output tubes and 2 of the 4 went kaplooie in 2 months. I then sourced 4 nos Westinghouse and couldn’t believe how much better they were in their power delivery and Sonics. I only use telefunkens or Mullards for tone and phono stages. 
They sure were doing something differently back then if the equipment today is the same. 

Back during the golden years of tubed based electronics EVERYONE in the electronics industry and military was using this technology, do you think the tubes themselves were important? They were! And not all companies were equal. So yes and no is the answer to the OP's question. As is the case today there are some tubes being made that are STELLAR but most are pedestrian at best.

Matt M