[Boatanchors] tubes

Mon, 19 Apr 2004 08:31:49 -0400 (EDT)

They are not dummies. There is an esthetic appreciation for certain tubes
in the 'industrial arts' sense. With technology marching on toward the
realms of magic at the level of the average electronics hobbiests
comprehension, the desire of some is to possess what they consider the
'best' in their particular area of interest. To some, the combination of
manufacturing mystique and attention to detail, marketing history, label
design and product presentation, along with real or perceived superiority
as a product, all figure in to the demand for this stuff. Even tubes!

Some folks collect lawnmowers without wheels. Early Flymo's in pristine
condition carry a premium far beyond their utility. I can but a disposable
butane lighter for 35 cents. A WW-2 zippo with interesting and well done
trench art might fetch thousands of dollars.

Right here on this list, we see communications gear trading for tens to
hundreds of times the $/performance ratio of more modern stuff. A National
SW-3 hears about as well as a $9.95 Vectronics NE602 based kit on the 40m
band. Talk about your dummies paying $200-$400 when $10 would get the same
stations just fine.

73,
-Bob
ah7i/w4

On Mon, 19 Apr 2004 [email protected] wrote:

> I must be missing something.  4 brand new 12AU7 tubes by telefunken
> just sold for $220.  $55 per tube!  wonder if there's any differnece
> in the sound out of them compared to my regular 12AU7's?
>
> What the heck is the electronics hobby coming to.........  Must be
> more dummies out there than i thought possible.
>
> Larry
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