Hi;
Haven't heard any specific references to "valve radios" but if you are 
considering a radio with tube finals there are lots floating around at 
reasonable prices.  There are circuits that will give you a variable tone as 
the rf output increases.
Lots of tube radios have lots of life left in them and they are becoming 
more reasonable unless you want collins.
Now if money were no object a old collins station would be fun.
Richard