Taylor 3-500ZG better than NOS Eimac 3-500Z Tube

RF Parts Taylor 3-500ZG tubes at 10 years old still produce full power per reviews. NOS Eimac 3-500Z tubes have vacuum leaking issues that can arc inside. Are the Talyor 3-500ZG a better tube than the Eimac 3-500Z? The Taylor tube costs less vs NOS Eimac.

 

BTW- The Rf Parts Taylor 3-500ZG was $129 ten (10) years ago, $200 a few months ago, now getting expensive at $230.

 

The difference may be ZG, And should be better.

 

The dollar is devalued by about the same amount since 10 years ago. Around here, we call this the “slice of pizza index.”

Tariffs on Chinese goods hasn’t helped.

 

Not true. The tube cost in 2010 with inflation is $152 today less new Chinese tariffs.

 

Pizza has gone up more since then.

 

Domino's has two medium pizzas for $12.99.

 

They subsidize that with more expensive soda. I own an electronic equipment design and manufacturing business. While board loading, final assembly, test, and packaging for shipment is performed in Los Angeles, many of the parts I need are made in China. The cost of doing business for me has outpaced the economic indicators that many people quote for several reasons.

I believe that electronics manufacturers and their retail outlets try to keep costs under control as best as they can. This is the general consensus of several friends of mine in similar businesses. The costs of raw materials are up drastically, transportation, labor, tariffs, warranty repairs... I think that RFP 3-500 is still a good bargain and not outlandishly priced.

The new 3-500 is still cheap power. I would rather deal with a new one then pay more for a NOS Eimac that may be gassy.

 

The NOS Eimacs have to be about 20 years old, and these tubes are known for leaking in storage just as much as they do in service. Unless the seller has some way to really test them and offer a warranty, I'd pass.

I'd go with "new," from China. I've been using RFP 3-500ZGs for a while now with no issues.

 

I would much prefer the Chinese made graphite 3-500zg with the proven long life. Not only cheaper than NOS Eimac, the graphite plate is more heavy duty vs the Eimac metal plate.