Are NOS tubes really better?
N.O.S. tubes have a reputation for being better quality than tubes produced by the Russian and Chinese factories. preamp and power tubes are becoming steadily more expensive as the gulf in time between now and the time when they were manufactured widens.
What does Nos mean for vacuum tubes?
“NOS” stands for “New Old Stock”, which means that the tube has never been used and is from old production. In most vacuum tube circles NOS generally implies that the tube is in the original box. “NIB” stands for “New In Box”.
How long do NOS tubes last?
Power tubes can last years in a light-playing situation while lasting only 6 months in heavy playing conditions. It is also dependent on how loud you play and for how long. Also if you don’t correctly match up the impedances, this will put strain on the power tubes and wear them down much faster.
Why did they stop making tubes?
As cheaper and more versatile semiconductors superseded them they faded from electronic parts catalogues, and the industry that had once produced them in such numbers disappeared in favour of plants producing the new devices.
Why are tubes made in Russia?
After the Soviet military demand dried up, Perestroika led to a gradual opening up of the Soviet economy, allowing easier access to markets outside the Eastern Bloc for Russian-made tubes.
Why do old tubes sound better?
We use tubes simply because they make the music we create sound better: smoother, warmer and cleaner. Ditto for guitar amplifiers used in creating music. The ways that tubes distort when pushed to the edge are much more musical than the artificial sounds that come from transistor amplifiers when overdriven.
How do I choose amp tubes?
For those just looking for a new set of tubes to get your amp back up and running, look into the tubes the amp came with and start from there. If you want the same sound, get the same or very similar tubes. If you want to experiment, try other brands or styles of the same type of tube.
Can power tubes go microphonic?
For example an amp where the reverb is malfunctioning indicates the tube in that part of the circuit needs to be replaced. Output tubes can also be microphonic.
Are vacuum tubes still manufactured?
Vacuum tubes are still manufactured in Russia by Sovtek . Originally a hold over from the Soviet era, on the fall of the USSR Sovtek changed over to manufacturing guitar amplifiers and the tubes used in them.
Is the NOS tube the Holy Grail of all tubes?
Dusty old tube lore is being reprinted, and tube amp schematics from the 1940s are being sought out, built exactly to specification, and sanctified by tube gurus worldwide. With this rebirth comes the hoary holy grail of every tube aficianado: the NOS tube.
How long do tube tubes last in a box?
We’re talking 50 years hard knocks for a box that was designed to have a shelf life of the typical cereal box: about six months. Then there are the tubes that were packed in “jobber’s boxes”, which were cardboard (later styrofoam) egg-carton like affairs which held about 100 tubes, intended to be sold to repair shops for stocking the tube caddies.
Are tube radios making a comeback?
But the retro-cool fascination is there as tube radios and hi-fi systems are making a roaring comeback. Dusty old tube lore is being reprinted, and tube amp schematics from the 1940s are being sought out, built exactly to specification, and sanctified by tube gurus worldwide.