From: pfjw@aol.com   
      
   Some years ago, I acquired a Scott LK150 amp - which came to me equipped with   
   purportedly NEW Chinese 5AR4s. I did not even test the amp with those tubes in   
   place - they were immediately replaced with a pair of GEs from my stock.   
   Meanwhile, the Chinese    
   tubes have been sitting in my junk-box for the last eight (8) years.    
      
   Yesterday, I had a bit of time, and the big Hickok was out for other reasons,   
   so I decided I would test the tubes.    
      
   The first one immediately smoked its filament. The second one, after about 20   
   minutes, melted into a mess - almost cartoon-like. Everything inside the glass   
   is tilted or rippled. The second one tested marginal before the melt, by the   
   way.    
      
   Had they been in the Scott (or any amp), the consequences could have been   
   nasty.    
      
   Friends don't let friends use Chinese Tubes.    
      
      
   Peter Wieck   
   Melrose Park, PA   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)