New 7868 vs. NOS or Used?

[billyboy]

Anyone done comparisons on EH 7868 vs. nos or used?
Any comments on lifespan of EH 7868?
Just curious, need to get a set. Thanks,,,

[Rob Mercure]

As a sweeping generalization no EH tube will last as long as USA/Northern European made tubes - used tubes are just that and who know's what sort of sordid life they may have lead before you got them. But if the used ones are about 1/2 the price of the EH I'd try 'em as they are generally quite long lived tubes and I've only seen a very few of them (7968/7591/6GM5) that were bad.

Rob