Wayne Parham Messages: 18835 Registered: January 2001
Illuminati (33rd Degree)
I know who you're talking about. Bought a very expensive "NOS" tube from them once, and it came in almost completely dead. It worked, but barely. Obviously had been used a full long life before it found it's way into that online tube store NOS box. I was able to get a replacement from them, but I still knew they were trying to pull a fast one labeling a used tube as NOS. I'm sure all their NOS tubes are actually junk pulls.
Antique Audio Supply also sells used tubes, but they label them as such. I usually prefer to buy new tubes but sometimes, when repairing an old radio, I need a tube and my only options are used. Most times, they're fine but I've bought a couple used tubes that were weak. Antique Audio replaced them for me. Being labeled as used tubes, this is quite acceptable to me.