The Growing Challenge of Buying NOS/NIB Tubes

I have met this type of response before from a a few Valve Sellers.

Some individuals try to bully the sale through, and resent a reasonable inquiry being made.

My own line of inquiry can really inflame these types of individuals unsavoury side.  

Buying Valves is a Caveat Emptor undertaking and the devil is in the details.

I Buy Matched Pairs usually, but don't buy Valves now, unless the Vendor agrees to the request being made by myself to have the Valves measured on a Third Parties Test Equipment.

If the measurements are a close match to the advertised ones, the sale is completed as the Valves will be retained by myself.

If the measurements are quite different, then the Valves are returned and a refund is to be given.   

As said I have encountered varying types of personalities, most importantly, I have had great success from very helpful vendors.

The less helpful and those that are quite Obnoxious can retain their Wares in thier keep.  

The person who tests my Tubes is a owner of a two generation Valve collection and knows so much about tubes and how they can influence a device.

Occasionally a selection of Late 50's to early 60's era matched tubes are put in a line up for demonstration purposes on devices that are brought along and used in the resident system.

It is not exactly tube rolling, but more of a unobtanium experience to be encountered by those invited.

Some Pairs of Tubes are hardly seen as pairs for sale and to buy them as singles would be quite a expensive purchase when they do appear in the market place.

What usually happens a stock tube is swapped out for a Tube that has a reputation and the lesson of why the reputation is in place, is soon learnt.

The usual thoughts are that not much more is to be achieved, but then it happens, a Tube is put into service that has a rarity, and all heads start looking around to see if the reaction is reciprocated, the inquiry is usually made as to how difficult to source these types, and this is from a Cold Tube.

Then it happens, without anybody knowing, the Hens Teeth of Tubes is put into service, and the absolute magic happens, it is something like the system has been exchanged for a whole new set up, costing much more.

As the Tube owner usually states, all that being achievable from a simple swap of a Tube, not much need to be Hi Tech and very achievable for a novice as well.

I agree with this, Tubes are able to make substantial changes to a systems SQ.

To achieve the exchange there is not a high level of knowledge required.

There is a knowledge that comes through experiencing Valves from many era's and having the best samples of these Valves in ones possession is not a common happening.

Finding owners of such collections is not easy and finding an owner who is willing to share in their experiences through demonstrating the Valves is even rarer.

As the owner has unusual devices made available to have their Valves used on, it broadens their own experiences of where the Valve can offer the best interface. 

I have been extremely grateful for my invites and the learning that has been achieved.