A few basic tube questions


For starting info i just purchased a pair of Quicksilver mid mono amps . These are my first tube amps i have owned .

Questions are : I plan on buying several sets of tubes for these amps by different manufacturers. When i have found the ones that i feel i like the best how do i sell the others that will have had an hours worth of use ?

Second question is in regards to the varients my amp can use . They are el34 , kt88,kt90 , and maybe a few more .Will all manufacturers of an el34 sound similar . Or might one el34 sound like someone elses kt 90 .

Third question is in regards to my new dodd preamp . That uses one tube of the 6 volt ilk . There are one of those as well in the quicksilver amps . Is it a good idea to use the same in the pre and amp ?

Lastly if anyone is interested in giving a quick (general description) on the differences of the el34 ,kt88 ,kt90 tubes .
128x128maplegrovemusic
Another source of knowledge are reputable tube sellers. First, and to my mind, most knowledgeable, is Andy Bowman at Vintage Tube Services. Second, Brent Jesse, third, Upscale Audio.

Any one of these can provide you with information about which tube work in which components.

Of course, there are a number of forum members that can provide very valuable knowledge as well.

Good Luck, enjoy,
Dan
"Also is there any info you wish you had when first starting out with tube gear you wish someone had told you that you later learned . Thanks"

Yes. I wish someone had told me I'd never be able to switch back to solid state. I've been trying and it's close to impossible. For me it's like the difference between a dry aged well marbled ribeye steak and the top round at a wedding reception.

In fairness to solid state I have a lot more to listen to. I'm sure it's out there somewhere.
Questions are : I plan on buying several sets of tubes for these amps by different manufacturers. When i have found the ones that i feel i like the best how do i sell the others that will have had an hours worth of use ?

Good question, and one that I've never really felt comfortable with. Since I only buy tubes from folks with tube testers and ratings, I've never felt comfortable enough to sell them after I have used them, since I don't have any calibrated testing equipment. Especially since you are taking someone else's word for their condition before you even used them. Now if you bought them from a reputable dealer, like Vintage Tube Services, Upscale Audio, etc., you may be able to report that they were from these guys, had an hour or two of use, and sell them.
However, if you bought them from a relatively unknown re-seller who happens to have a tube tester, you really don't know how accurate or calibrated their equipment is to start with.

Having never felt comfortable with this predicament is probably why I've never sold any tubes that I've purchased. I don't have enough tubes to bother going out and buying a calibrated tube tester, so I cannot verify the tubes condition, so I do not bother to sell.
They just pile up. :)
Jmcgrogan2... You bring up a good point; Who wants to buy some unknown used tubes?
I have no tester, so in my ads I did mention the dealer's name and the reason I was selling which was always "auditioned the tubes in my gear" and I will give the hours used...200 to 300 for auditioning. I will also draw attention to my positive feedback.
I have had sold a few sets of very expensive NOS tubes for about half price; I'm talking about $200+ tubes. There was a high demand for these tubes and I believe that is why they sold.
I am planning on using either Tubemonger or The tubestore . Or any of the top hits from a google search . Do i need to be leary of not getting what i am paying for or as these websites describe the tubes ? New condition is what i was planning . Is it wise to buy the small tubes that last alot longer used ?