F.A.Q. - Frequently Asked Questions

Question: If I buy some tubes and don't like how they sound in my system, do you accept returns?

Answer: We would like to clarify that, just as with a music CD that cannot be returned simply because the sound doesn't suit your taste, we do not accept returns of valves for reasons of sound preference or "Tube Rolling." You can request a return if you change your mind, as required by the Consumer Code, only if the item has not been used and is in the condition in which it was received, i.e., with the tamper-proof seal intact. We are at your complete disposal to offer you all the support you need before a possible purchase.

Request: Is shipping to Germany possible?

Answer: Currently, we cannot comply with the requirements of the German Electronic Equipment Act (EEE), specifically the ElektroG (Elektro- und Elektronikgerätegesetz) , which requires registration, take-back management, and disposal for sellers of electronic components. Therefore, we do not ship to Germany. However, we can ship to neighboring countries or explore alternative solutions based on your needs.

Question: I live in the United States. Will I have to pay customs duties if I buy from you?

Answer: Yes, import duties and taxes may apply for shipments to the United States. These will be collected directly by FedEx upon delivery , according to the DAP (Delivered At Place) Incoterm.

We do not apply any additional costs beyond the price of the products and the shipping fee (€18.90), but any customs duties are determined exclusively by the US customs authorities.

Where possible, and only for eligible products, we include the following in the customs documentation:

“HTS 9801.00.10.74 – US Goods Returned”
which can reduce or eliminate duties on valves of American origin.
Final acceptance is always at the discretion of US Customs.

For all the latest details, please visit the following page:

👉 Our tubes aren't imports. They're American legends coming home

We are at your complete disposal for any clarification before purchasing.

Question: If I purchase an item here and one on your eBay store, can I combine shipping?

Answer: Of course, just contact us or indicate it in the notes at checkout. We'll refund the shipping costs for one of the two orders using the same payment method you used.

Question: What happens if the goods arrive damaged or the package is lost?

Answer: Your goods are well packaged and protected for safe transit. We offer comprehensive insurance to protect the full value of your products from any unforeseen events.

Question: An item is missing from the package. What should we do?

Answer: To ensure quality and transparency, we record the preparation and sealing of all packages. This allows us to verify that each order is packaged correctly and that all items shipped match the order specifications. In the event of any reports or concerns, these records are used to clarify any misunderstandings and ensure prompt resolution.

Question: Why isn't tracking active? Have you shipped?

Answer: Sometimes there are initial delays in scanning. Please be patient for the first day or two if tracking hasn't yet activated. Couriers do not collect orders on Saturdays and holidays. We ship the day after the sale. if it occurred after 10:30 AM Italian time.

Request: The product arrived defective: can you replace it?

Answer: Absolutely. All products are thoroughly tested, including through real-world testing on our own amplifiers, to minimize the risk of problems. If, upon receipt, you find a defect that was not detected during the checks, we invite you to contact us promptly to proceed with the replacement.

Question: Can I have a telephone number to contact you?

Answer: We do not provide telephone support. We handle all communications exclusively through email or messaging. We hope you understand this organizational choice and invite you to send us any questions or requests; we will be happy to respond as quickly as possible.

Request: I live nearby. Can I come and collect the products in person?

Answer: Our shop operates exclusively through mail order and is not open to the public.

Request: One product description says “Factory-selected for Low Noise & Microphonics,” while another says “Selected for Low Noise & Microphonics.” Which one is truly Low Noise & Microphonics?

Answer: Both.

The colored marker placed on the top of the glass or on the base of the tubes was used by the manufacturer to identify special selections and passed quality tests, indicating that the tubes met certain standards, such as reliability, performance, Low Noise & Microphonics, etc. This aspect was particularly relevant for applications in critical environments.

We repeat these tests in our laboratories to verify and guarantee the quality of the products we offer. Tubes that pass our specific Low Noise & Microphonics tests are always marked as such in the listing title and/or description.

Question: How can I tell if a Vintage tube is new or used?

Answer: When we're absolutely certain a tube has never been used, we indicate NOS or NOS NIB in the listing title. If we have even the slightest doubt or the tube has already been used, we don't use this term. To learn more, we've written a short article that might be helpful.

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📌 Invoicing and Tax Regime

Vacuum Tubes Treasures operates on a flat-rate basis.
All sales are made under a flat-rate regime, pursuant to art. 1, paragraphs 54-89, of Law 190/2014.

VAT is not applicable on sales in Italy.
Since we operate under a flat-rate tax regime, VAT is not applied to sales made in Italy, and the invoices issued do not allow for VAT deduction.

📌 If you would like further information about billing, please contact us before placing an order.

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Question: I see you also have used valves, how long will they last in terms of hours?

Answer: NOS (New Old Stock) tubes, never used and properly stored, can guarantee an extremely long lifespan, often exceeding that of modern production tubes. Quality preamp tubes can easily reach 20,000 hours of use under ideal conditions, while rectifier and power tubes can reach 10,000 and 5,000 hours, respectively.

Even the used valves we offer are carefully tested, and the relevant results are reported in the description, to allow a reliable estimate of the remaining life. Each valve is carefully selected to ensure reliable and long-lasting performance.

Question: I see you also have used tubes, but are they a valid alternative to NOS?

Answer: Although NOS (New Old Stock) tubes are new and never used, the used vacuum tubes we offer represent an excellent alternative, thanks to the rigorous checks and selections they undergo before sale, in order to guarantee their quality and performance.

Some of our customers, who have agreed to blind listening tests, have found that our used tubes offer sonic performance indistinguishable from their NOS counterparts.
It should also be considered that, for many models, there are no longer any NOS examples available: in these cases, used tubes represent not only a valid alternative, but often the only solution for finding components that are now rare and valuable.

In short, you can consider used valves a safe and reliable alternative, with the certainty that each unit is carefully tested to ensure maximum performance.