Musicians Roadhouse

Just got some NOS preamp tubes for $10 each. Got one Tung Sol 12ax7, two Austrian 12AX7 and a 7025 with black plates that just says "USA 7025" on it.

Very few people I trust buying anything NOS from, very few. The con artists are everywhere.

There is no doubt that the NOS stuff last a long time compared to modern tubes. I am not that convinced any more that it sounds any better. So quality yes, sonic superiority no.

The black plate 7025s are most likely RCA, those were great tubes.

They are from a dealer that I trust. They had a guy who collected gear for something like 35+ years sell his entire collection to him. When they serviced the amps they gutted the tubes and put them all in a box for sale. I didn't buy any power tubes but decided to take the chance on the preamps. I originally went in there looking for a 12AX7 (Granger blew V2 again - apparently plexis are hard on cathode followers) so I bought a Mesa 12AX7 and then the four NOS tubes.

With my less than expert opinion, I agree. I don't hear a difference, but I would almost guarantee they are made better.

One of the Austrian tubes didn't survive the trip home... The other is an Austrian 12AT7 upon closer inspection. The Tung Sol also appears to be a 12AT7, but after comparing the 7025 to Internet pictures it appears to be an RCA or Packard Bell with ribbed plates. All are ok. I use 12AT7's as V1 in my JCM800 so I will use them. I don't know where to try the 7025. Excited about that one.