How do you test different tubes?

NOS tubes are definitely available. Here on Audiogon I regularly see people selling off NOS tubes from their collections that they realize they will never use.

There are crooks out there so you have to be careful. It's best to have a tube tester if you are going to buy NOS or used tubes and buy from someone who will allow returns.

If you don't want the hassle of learning about tubes and tube testers, the tube sellers noted above can get you top quality tubes for a price.

IMO, NOS tubes can make a difference in the sound of your system that is worth the price.

Viridian: Please let us know how your "giant" Sylvania works out. I'm really curious to know how you came by it and at what cost!

NOS last longer, and NOS sound much much better than currently manufactured tubes; they cost more for a reason. Read other threads on this subject and you'll discover why we buy NOS tubes as opposed to current manufactured tubes.

NOS stands for New Old Stock, and when I buy from a reputable tube dealer, I assume that is what it means. I've bought tubes from the same dealer for years, and considering the short life span of current tubes as opposed to the long life of NOS, I've gotten my money's worth.

Tube rolling is fun and there is an endless supply of NOS, good-used tubes from all over the world. I would use cables as an example of what tube rolling is all about.

Telefunken and Valvo tubes really are special. Whether or not they are worth the scratch is no different than asking whether or not kimber, Tara Labs, Cardas etc. are worth the money.

Having said all that, some of the new stuff sounds really good and the old Russian military tubes are plentiful, sound good and are dirt cheap.