Is there substitute for tubes in old tube record player?

Question

I know it is possible to get new tubes for record players and I could. I am just curious if anyone ever invented a substitute that works as a tube which could be plugged into the hole where the tube was which would have a much longer lifespan.

Answer 1

no, the old tubes are being faded out, what I use to buy for $6.95, is now $99.95 on e-bay. good luck, get it back to original and turn it off,

Answer 2

There are or were people who made a tube substitute using  Field Effect Transistors (FETs).  You might do some research on the web. I will do some research on it too, but It has been a long time since I used one of these so I don't know how available they are any more.  Check it out.  You might end up being pleasantly surprised.  

If you are enterprising I am absolutely sure you can find schematic circuits still around out there for FET tube substitutes that you could build on an tube base and plug into your record player.  You might check some old Popular Electronics magazine files.  I'd bet that you will find a FET circuit for your tube type.

Answer 3

i used to make plug in amplifier tube substitutes but there is no market for them. most people want to keep antique equipment original and quality of operation is not an issue. the only plug ins you might be able to find now are for the rectifier tubes.