Back to the future

[Drew]

Samsung to release tube-powered wireless audio dock.

http://www.ipodnn.com/articles/12/06/17/...ooth.more/

[cbelt3]

That's very pretty. I wonder where they get their tubes ?

[JPK]

$800?

I will pay for the cool factor, just not $800 worth of it!

JPK

[mrlynn]

Hmm. . . Vacuum tubes eventually burn out. Will Samsung will have a continual supply of replacements available?

/Mr Lynn

[Will Collier]

I have a shoebox full of old (but complete) vacuum tubes. My grandad was an electrician, and we found them in his mountain of stuff after he passed away. One of these days I'm going to take them over to the local vintage guitar joint and see if any of them are useful...

[mikebw]

Picking up where the iPod HiFi left off...

[clay]

tubes are still sought after by many folks in pro audio. I've got a new tube mic that many folks in my shoes have taken to upgrading tubes. Some upgrade into vintage tubes for a certain sound, and others are looking to higher end new tubes. They'll still be around as a speciality item for a good long while, I think.

[JoeH]

I recall reading that there were factories in Russia still putting out tubes for the market. Vacuum tubes were used there regularly much longer than here and Western Europe. And there are still sources of new in the box tubes from old stock, though they are starting to dry up.

[cbelt3]

FWIW, there *are* still certain hardened installations that may use tubes..... not as susceptible to EMP damage as regular electronics.

[Racer X]

And there are at least 2 factories, one in China, and I think one in Ireland, making flash bulbs. They still have their uses.