Burned Out


I recently got caught up in the tube swapping craze. I have a tubed amp and preamp. I researched things as well as I could for only having access to the internet and forums like this. I also was in contact with the owner of a very well known vintage tube dealer. I bought two tubes from eBay from dealers with a long history on eBay and high customer review rating. Both tubes from eBay were for my preamp, one  was a Brimar and the other Melz 1578 6sn7 tubes manufactured in the 50’s or 60’s. The Brimar only played through one channel and at first dealer tried dispute the fact that it malfunctioned and then contacted me saying he was now having the same issue. The Melz red plated on me and was very microphonic. The dealer is in the Ukraine so I’m waiting to see if I will get my refund. And, last but not least one of the most reputable dealers recommended a tube RCA and has stated he stands behind his product. But, what happens when his product causes damage to your preamp? My preamp now plays only through one channel. When I called up the dealer about the noise the tube was making, I was told follow the instructions regarding microphonics and that there was no way the tube would damage my equipment. There was a recommended break in period of around 48 hrs. Well long story short, my preamp is not functioning and has to be sent back to manufacturer and as of on out $115 for the tube. So my question is are NOS tubes worth all the risk? Are the newer tubes that bad that I have to sacrifice the working condition of my gear for a possible sound improvement? I would like to know your thoughts. Are tubes the Shuguang Black treasure, Northern Electric, a safer risk. I’m venting right now, but looking for answers
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Showing 1 response by rar1

So, my dad owned a TV Repair Shop from 1946 - 1980.  He got sick and after he passed, we started to break up the business.  I was left with a wall of tubes ... all types ... roughly half were TV only use tubes, the other half were Radio and Audio use tubes.  I thought I hit the proverbial NOS jackpot.  Not to be.  Easily more than half were duds.  Had the late, great Art Dudley over to the store and we tested tubes together.  No dealer would take the tubes, even for free, because of the time and effort involved to catalog and professionally test this wall of tubes.  It would have taken me years.  To the City Dump they went, life is way too short.  

The morale of the story ... you couldn't give me a NOS tube.  Strictly new production for me.  There are enough good new production tubes out there.

No need to question MC's plugs.  Because of MC, I discovered Raven Amps.  Admittedly, that will probably be my first purchase, once I retire from the 9-5 in the next year or so.  I am actually glad he continually mentions Raven Audio.

Rich