tubes  do not cost much these days.
Just check out a website
www.eurotubes.com
they aren't expensive, at least, not as much as some might have you believe.
When it comes to those big final power tubes in large amplifiers, maybe, but
the transistors are just as expensive in their solid state counter parts.
as far as common preamp tubes, and  relatively small  power tubes goes,
there are lots and lots of new ones out there for cheap, and good quality as
well.
I can completely re outfit my swan 270A for around 80 or 90 dollars US with
brand new, top of the line tubes made in russia, or more specifically,
czetznia.
for even less, i could go with chinese manufactured tubes which as i said
earlier, are becoming better and better as time goes on.
There is still enough demand for tubes that there are a few big factories
making them and selling them in quantity.
The sheer number of guitar amps alone that fender sells each year with tubes
in them demands that millions be made somewhere.
73
Colin, V A6BKX
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Walt Smith" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, August 28, 2006 3:07 PM
Subject: Re: off topic, question about older receiver


> Since hardly anybody's producing them, especially in quantity, any tubes
can
> cost an arm and a leg these days. The solid state models of that radio
that
> I saw were excellent, especially considering the state of the art at the
> time. I don't know if they're still available, but I recall that you used
to
> be able to buy plug-in replacements for vacuum tubes that were actually
> pretty sophisticated little devices that essentially converted the device
to
> solid state technology, but I never actually heard any equipment that used
> them and don't know what they might have sounded or performed like.
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Jeff Kenyon" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Monday, August 28, 2006 12:54 PM
> Subject: Re: off topic, question about older receiver
>
>
> Hi, I have heard that just tubes for those older units can sometimes be an
> arm and a leg.
> I remember too those short-wave boomboxes that came out in the
> early 80's.  The few units I have seen detachable speakers, and AM/FM and
> tape, and a  a couple of short-wave bands.  Many people didn't know they
> had the capability of short-wave until I pointed  it out.   My parents are
> two of those people, and I still have an early Phisher unit from 1982!   I
> don't know if you all are familiar with these, but the unit I have has the
> flashing LED that flashes on and off in time to recordings or whatever you
> are playing at the time.  The tape machine doesn't have the best design on
> it with regard to mechanics, but it has one good recording quality.  What
> were people hoping to market these units for?
>