AudioNervosa

Systemic Development => Bipolar System Disorders => Topic started by: mresseguie on September 15, 2026, 10:01:48 PM

Title: Where do you stash your spare tubes?
Post by: mresseguie on September 15, 2026, 10:01:48 PM
My tube collection has been growing, and I really need to organize them all. Until now, I've just set them inside a cabinet with other audio 'stuff' without any effort to organize them. [Case in point: I discovered an unopened mailing box inside my cabinet. Upon opening the box, I discovered a NOS Sylvania 6BY5GA tube that I must have ordered a couple years ago. I'm at the point now where I really ought to organize them for easy viewing and access. I do have a decent sized drawer which could probably hold all of my current tubes, but I will someday need to place them inside a box when we move.

What sort of boxes/containers do you use to store your tubes?
Title: Re: Where do you stash your spare tubes?
Post by: P.I. on September 15, 2026, 10:18:21 PM
Frankly speaking, with the exception of NOS 7308, I only buy new manufacture tubes. I got sick and tired of chasing and paying for NOS for maybe a 2% - 3% improvement is SQ.  Just not worth the bullshit of sketchy vendors, etc.

I'm old and desire repeatability and consistency on a fixed income.
Title: Re: Where do you stash your spare tubes?
Post by: Nick B on September 15, 2026, 10:52:34 PM
In all things audio nowadays, i have dedicated boxes in the garage and try and label most cables, power supplies or the boxes. I just bought some 6ns7 tubes recently, but can't really remember how to properly label and describe them. I think I will go back to ebay and find the sale info and list all the information including the seller.
Title: Re: Where do you stash your spare tubes?
Post by: Jack on September 15, 2026, 11:26:50 PM
Michael

I use four of these containers at the present. One for 6volt signal tubes from the 6DJ8 family, one for 12volt signal tubes like the 12AU7, AT, AX and 5751, one for 6volt Octal tubes and the last for power and rectifier tubes. They are all stored in the closet of a spare bedroom. At the present time the gear in my Main system uses 12AT7,12AU7,6SN7,5U4G and KT-88 tubes.