disassembled,
You're right, you could call it burned, but really it's just dissapointment, because my expectations of NOS tubes was high. I really wanted them to work in there regardless of cost. At any rate, my Mark IV happens to sound pretty good even with the stock Sovteks, so I think I'll leave it that way for now. Maybe I'll see what Groove Tubes has to offer one day. Truth is though, It WAS a little smoother with the NOS's, but not enough to take a chance on something happening.
That's good advice - I should lighten up. This is supposed to be fun. And I do love it. I just sucks to think of people that don't know better getting taken advantage of.
Bottom line for me: Buy the right amp first. Good tubes might not make the wrong amp for you sound like the right one. Never met a tube amp that I didn't like though!!