Western Electric 300b Tubes - Differences

The expensive variety come in sealed boxes, with individual serial numbers for each tube, testing results pamphlets for each tube, all packaged inside an engraved (reads Western Electric, etc.), cherrywood case. They come with a 90-day warranty that becomes 5 years when you register the warranty cards.

The uber-expensive type ($1500/pr+) were packaged this way AND were produced in decades past.

Those you list as cheap, I've never seen them in that type of packaging. You could ask Westrex Corp., but if they do not have individual serial numbers, extendable warranty, etc., I'd be suspect.

We paid full pop for the serial numbered/cherry box types. After 8 months or so, we had to warranty one of our tubes, as it was a little microphonic. They replaced the pair with a brand new pair, sealed in their respective boxes, within a week.

You get what you pay for, IMO.