Well I landed a Elrog 5U4G. It works lol. But it has a micro stress fracture on the base. And looks like a glass or plastic on the inside.
Could I wrap this in electrical tape on the base? To add some additional strength. Hmmm.
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Yikes! Did you buy it new or second-hand? If you bought it new I would seek a replacement, for sure. This is no cheap tube, you don’t want to mess around with long term viability. It’s a shame you’ve been waiting for it for so long and now this! I hope it at least works so you’ve gotten to hear the beautiful sound it makes!
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New year, new gear…
And with that, after several years of research, planning, & saving (or, more accurately, spending!), my head-fi HiFi system is officially COMPLETE. 
Dynamic driver 
Planar Magnetic
DAC
Tubes
Solid State
Turntable
Phono Preamp
Power
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Second hand, they don’t make these anymore.
Works and sounds fine. I think the micro fractures aren’t too bad. Seem to be ok just can’t be too rough removing the tube or setting it. I guess are lol.
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I hope you’re able to do that.
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Got it. Well, as a fellow Stellaris + Elrog owner, I suggest that it’s worth the effort to figure out how to best ensure the Elrog is solid. Epoxy the crack, maybe?
I can’t promise that this is the absolute end of the system, but I’m reasonably confident there will only ever be ADDITIONS (i.e. Tungsten? Susvara? Stax?), not replacements. I feel confident this system will last me until the end of my days and then be passed on to someone else.
*edit: I just realized I cannot promise that I won’t someday replace my E.A.T. turntable with a VPI Avenger. As soon as I hit the lotto, obviously. 
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It can’t hurt as long as you maintain socket clearance, if applicable. I’ve seen quite a few base cracks before. Rather than rough handling or damage, it may just occur as bakelite/plastic shrinks over time. I used packing tape and a socket saver to ‘fix’ the damaged base on my factory Lyr 3 6SN7 tube. I needed the socket saver to avoid pin hole rotation with the key broken off. I suppose Gorilla Tape would be stronger than either electrical or packing tape, but likely not needed in your situation.
That one…just keep an eye on it…I’d not risk causing temperature issues with reinforcements.
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Yeah, good luck with that! 
Call me a skeptic but you, me and most all of us are incurable gear heads! Let me know how it works out
In seriousness, you’ve built a beautiful, first rate setup. It should be sufficient for quite some time. 
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lol I know that’s true, but actually I am VERY MUCH the kind of person who spends a ridiculous amount of time & energy finding the perfect thing for me and then moves on to something else. True with MANY passions in my life.
Famous last words and all that jazz, though… lol
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Where is the de-heart option? We have severe doubts. 
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The glass fragment fell. It’s no longer on the side of the tube it’s at the bottom. Sounds fine tho.
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If the base is loose at all I’ve had good success with repairing a bunch of tubes with “hard as nails” clear nail polish. Some nail polish remover will help clean up any leftover residue on the glass.
Luckily that piece inside isn’t metal! I have a few tubes with glass bits inside that are fine. I have mint GEC L63 thas a tiny loose piece of metal somehow stuck in the top of the tube that rolls around when tilted. If it rolls in one specific direction it makes contact between two connections and shorts. I learned it was there the hard way while wearing headphones. Luckily no driver/ear damage but absolutely terrifying.
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Legendary setup - congrats @chrisnyc75!
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You’ve assembled a beautiful system, there, with thoughtfully chosen pieces that should last you a lifetime. Enjoy it. I’m in a similar position. My system building plan is complete and I’m very happy with the result. Nevertheless… I’m still going to CanJam next month!
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Chrisnyc75:
The Headphone Community:
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Because:
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Glad to see you Lothar!
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Neither are still in the box:
A gorgeous walnut burl & resin headphone stand from Casey
And a ZMF new production Eikon, stabilized maple burl, Autuer Classic drivers:
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Gorgeous!
…these are charracters so it will let me post.
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