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Why Can't Tubes Be Mass-Produced Cheaply?

I often read that old tubes manufactured from the 60's or earlier are collectible items and often much sought after, and new tubes are not as valuable. Reasons cited are that these older tubes are a rare species, and they often sound 'better' and hence the hefty price tag on them. I am puzzled as to how these older tubes are different from the new ones and why they are better-sounding. Why can't technology today produce tubes that are similiar in quality to those in the yesteryears, or even better them? After all vacuum tubes, electron tubes or valve tube(where they call it in Britain) are electronic components made up by plates and filament. What happens if these old tubes become extinct? Why are there still so many of these old tubes available for sale although it has been almost 4 decades since they were manufactured? I mean once these tubes have run out of life they will basically be disposed off.

Pardon my ignorance as I cannot seem to find any discussion on this matter elsewhere. Any opinions would be much appreciated.
ryder
sidssp
1,077 posts
 
Dan_ed,
Be careful when you buy NOS tubes. Many so called NOS tubes for sale are actually used tubes. Perhaps that is one of the reasons you experienced roll off highs and lows.
dan_ed
2,451 posts
 
Thanks, Sidssp. That is good advice and probably true for some of the small tubes I've tried. However, some of the NOS power tubes I've tried were purchased from very reputable dealers. Some of these have a wonderful mid-range but offer this at a cost to the top and bottom. In other cases the NOS tubes were just fine but the new production tubes are just as good for a lot less money. Other folks I have discussed this with have had similar experiences. I think it is also a function of the gear and personal preferences. It is hard in this discussion to keep from generalizing and I don't mean to discourage the use of NOS tubes. Rather, I'm attempting to offer some hope to tube lovers who may be becoming disheartened by the price of some of the more popular NOS tubes. For many applications there could well be a very good current production tube that won't take a second mortgage to buy.
greggdeering's avatar
greggdeering
45 posts
 
Fro Dan_ed ,

I agree, but that middle is so important, there is some reality to be gained and some beauty lost. Top extension invites harshness, particularly with vintage gear. I will occasionally de-Mullardize my system to find nuance and sacrifice some of the beauty. The beauty may not represent the sound of real music, but it's seductive none the less.

There is another thread about sound, amps and measurements, can we not measure a tubes midrange? I thought not.

Gregg
pbb
1,140 posts
 
Dan ed is right. NOS are often not exactly as touted. NOS religion: another audiophile affection maybe?
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
Tested as NOS is more likely, not actually NOS.

I do own a few tubes I know to be NOS only because I have owned them since before the internet and AudiogoN existed; and I knew the person I bought them from had owned them for decades. I may only be the second owner. The boxes even look like new.
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