Before I watch any or all of the previously posted videos, I'll say this: IMO... Real NOS tubes are of much better quality and will last longer than the modern stuff that's being made in at least the last 20 years. And... Video demos can't completely provide the experience of actually feeling the organic response of an amp and the subtle nuances of different tubes.
And now it's time to watch those videos...
So true.
I had purchased a vintage Vibrolux around 2002 +/-, emailed a tube vendor, got recommendations etc..
He talked me into trying out some vintage RCA tubes for in the power section. They were in JAN boxes, true milspec.
Have had this amp in our rehearsal room since then, almost twenty years, have been through more than a few preamp tubes.
Never, I mean, never have even thought those tubes were even getting weaker.
It makes sense, they were designed to run 24-7 in military gear and were tougher than nails.
Many hours on them, one of my bandmates took over the amp for a couple of years, still sounds great never have let me down. But, for the price of admission I'd expect nothing less.
Kinda expensive to begin with, but not once you prorate them. Buy once, cry once in the tube world.
Sound wise, sound great to me, but not much different than the originals, so nice to not worry about re-tubing though.