Tube Shelf Life


I have purchased several NIB Electroharmonix tubes. These are the new variety and not NOS. Does anyone know what the anticipated shelf life is on these newer tubes or any reason to believe that they will degass or otherwise degrade faster than NOS from 20 or more years ago?
nanderson
I think you are probably safe to assume that there won't be that much difference if any at all. The greater issue may be whether or not NOS has a more complete vacumn in the first place and what effect that may have on the sound of the tube. And I don't have a clue how you could ever ID that difference. Interesting thought though.
Believe it or not tube shelf life can be as high as 100 years...that is not a typo! I would keep them in their original boxes, in a cool place where they are not subjected to possible bumping, banging, or droping. The 'silver cap' inside the top of the tube is a substance called 'getta' which is designed to capture and hold stray atoms of Oxygen, Nitrogen, etc., which may effect the performance of the electronics. If the silver turns to powder and flakes off your tube might have sprung a leak! I my opinion tube design was discarded premature...I don't believe the engineers fully exploited possible designs.