Western Electric 300 B Vacuum tubes


I am going to ask what I would consider kind of a crazy question about the vacuum, because these are vacuum tubes, and my question is this: when I start up my 300 B SET-V amplifier, and I see what appears to be a vacuum, in only one of two tubes, (appearing like some sort of steam or condensation inside), is this normal? They play/sound fine …I don’t have any complaints, but I’m not used to actually being able to see a vapor inside the tube as it warms up. (Of course when you have tubes that are this expensive you tend to wonder if they are A-OK… I don’t get this experience on any of my other 300 B vacuum tubes). Maybe it’s because of their high-quality I don’t know.

has anyone had this experience as well? Thank you so much.

128x128moose89

I've owned a 300b amp, and never saw any sort of condensation. I do think it could be a problem in the future. I would call the dealer you bought them from. That's a lot of money!

A vacuum is the absence of any vapor.  it is invisible.  I don't know what you are seeing, and maybe people familiar with this tube can tell you what it is, but I know that normal is to see noting inside but clear nothingness.

Jerry