The Growing Challenge of Buying NOS/NIB Tubes

Tube Buying, What a mine field.

Buy extremely cheap and give the vendor a break, cheapo purchases is the buyers risk only, obviously they are expected to arrive as the model purchased and in one piece.

Alternatively, Buy at a premium price and make it the Vendors responsibility to ensure the buyer receives the sale item that matches the sale Ad.

A Vendor can be found that is willing to allow a buyer to take further measures on receipt of the item, that will prove the item is a very close match to what is stated in the Sale Ad.

A Vendor that is unwilling to agree the sale condition, that looks after the buyers interest, is not worthy of my business, I shake the sand of my shoe and keep on until the ideal Vendor is hooked up with their ideal customer. It is only fair that both parties end up with a closed won sale that is a pleasure to have been part of. 

I've had bad success in my receiving very high quality Valves using both purchase methods above. 

I've had extremely pleasing success in my receiving very high quality Valves using both purchase methods above, when the Punt Purchase hits the home run, that is the Icing and Cherry on the Cake. 

If you are willing to pay high prices for exotic tubes, then it behooves you to inform yourself regarding the features of those tubes that identify them with certainty.  In other words, caveat emptor.  The Romans had it right. For one example, even that characteristic diamond embossing on the bottom of every TFK 9-pin miniature triode has been counterfeited, and you ought to know how to identify the authentic diamond vs the fake one. This is not to say that the world is full of cheaters; sometimes the seller is also unwitting.

With the difficulties being met when opting for. Valves in a Circuit, and the risk can be to waste money. It is a encourager to look outside of a Valve Circuit and refamiliarise with SS Circuits.

I am at present having a SS Phon' produced along with a Pre Amp with a SS Circuit option. 

SS Power Amp's are also being home system trialled through 2026.

The secondary reason for the change towards circuit type, is resulting from a recent change of Speaker, the build up to the change has been long, with the idea of creating additional End Sound options growing in strength during the period of waiting for the Speakers.

The Speakers now in use have been so impressive, I am sure my own ideas coming to fruition will really add to the impressive End Sound experience being had. 

I had a very similar experience with The Tube Museum a couple of years ago with the same tube request (i.e. ordering one type of tube and getting a completely different set of tubes).  I have never dealt with that company again.  There are so many good tube providers in the market that do not disappoint, including The Tube Store, Tube Depot and Parts Connexion.

Another vendor I have had nothing but good experiences with is 

valvesnmore.com