2. amps-preamps
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Here I go, shooting myself in the foot

Whether new issue or "new old stock" (NOS), one can spend a great deal of money on tubes. In the case of NOSs, some of us might recall, as wee little shavers, the TV repair man coming over to fix the family TV and charging a couple of bucks for the same tube that's now being sold for hundreds. In the beginning of my tube life, I considered NOS tubes to be trinkets for the big money audio elite. Now, upgrading to the best tubes available, while trying to minimize paying a rarity premium, is standard procedure for me. They have proved to be among the very best bang-for-the-buck improvements that I have come across in audio.
BTW, I figure I'm shooting myself in the foot if I persuade someone to plunge into the NOS market and drive up prices.
phaelon
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,341 posts
 
"charging a couple of bucks for the same tube that's now being sold for hundreds"

I used to sell tubes in Radio Shack and Lafayette Radio, mid to late 70s.

Most sold in $4-$20 range as I recall.

Big Bucks today....

People need to realize that tube gear has an associated maintenance cost to keep things operating well these days and be willing to deal with that before getting into modern hi end tube gear.
tmsorosk
1,013 posts
 
Imagine going into a Radio Shack and asking for a specific tube now . They would probably look at you like you were on glue .
koestner
672 posts
 
The folks at Radio Shack looked at me like I was on glue when I went in and asked if they had any record cleaners.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,341 posts
 
tm,

I went into a large local mom and pop electronics part store nearby recently that still carries a lot of the items Radio Shack and Lafayette carried years ago. Still no tubes though surprisingly.

I did find 12AX7s for my ARC pre-amp recently for $20 each though at a local Guitar Center.

Yes, Radio Shack is a lot different these days. Some cool new stuff though and nice that they have managed to survive all these years.
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