Asking 'how much $ to get into tube equipment is like asking 'how much does a car cost, I want to learn to drive'! Depends on what you find if you're not in a hurry. Some people pay stupid amounts of money to get what they think they want. Then, some people stumble upon a too-good-to-be-real deal, like a fisher 500c in a custom-built cabinet/table, working, for $40! Ya never know... hit the yard sale/ flea market/thrift store rounds, something bound to show up eventually. 
Tim D
Super Member
Asking 'how much $ to get into tube equipment is like asking 'how much does a car cost, I want to learn to drive'! Depends on what you find if you're not in a hurry. Some people pay stupid amounts of money to get what they think they want. Then, some people stumble upon a too-good-to-be-real deal, like a fisher 500c in a custom-built cabinet/table, working, for $40! Ya never know... hit the yard sale/ flea market/thrift store rounds, something bound to show up eventually.
Never been lucky enough to stumble on vintage tube equipment at Thrifts or yard sales. I do find tube equipment on CL from time-to-time in my market, but they are very few and far between. Mostly people know what they have when it's tube, but you could get lucky.
I did get an unrestored Dynakit ST-70 from my neighbors trash. That got me started in the hobby. I picked up a barely/partially functioning Allied/Knight Tube Receiver for $50. It's still waiting in my queue. I also picked up a trio of Fisher units for $250. They were absolute basket cases. They were a KX-100 Amp (almost done, but needed lots of work - the chassis was badly rusted and one of the OT's was bad), a KM-60 Tuner (with no tubes and really bad condition, a 500B receiver which is in similarly bad condition. If you get something cheap - chances are that it's going to need some serious work. Are you ready for that commitment?
