@cleeds I agree with this 100%.
Interestingly, in the tube re-seller world, there seems to be a propensity to label tubes as NOS. These very tubes are in fact used and measure as if new. I guess if one questions how many tubes from the 1950’s -1970’s have survived brand new in a box (that have NEVER been inserted into a tube socket), the answer to what is going on becomes more clear. Not saying i totally agree with the practice, but how many times has one bought a NOS tube and looked at the pins to see that they are brand new....I know I have bought these from so-called ’reputable’ tube re-sellers and the tube pins are anything but brand new! I was disclosed that they come in an original box ( mostly) and they test as new. ( which is also a ’relative’ term).
Interestingly, in the tube re-seller world, there seems to be a propensity to label tubes as NOS. These very tubes are in fact used and measure as if new. I guess if one questions how many tubes from the 1950’s -1970’s have survived brand new in a box (that have NEVER been inserted into a tube socket), the answer to what is going on becomes more clear. Not saying i totally agree with the practice, but how many times has one bought a NOS tube and looked at the pins to see that they are brand new....I know I have bought these from so-called ’reputable’ tube re-sellers and the tube pins are anything but brand new! I was disclosed that they come in an original box ( mostly) and they test as new. ( which is also a ’relative’ term).