Vacuum tubes and transistors have different failure modes. If you apply high voltage to a vacuum tube, it will arc and warm up, but not sustain much damage. Do

Vacuum tubes and transistors have different failure modes. If you apply high voltage to a vacuum tube, it will arc and warm up, but not sustain much damage. Do the same with a transistor and it will promptly turn into a resistor. Source: burned plenty of transistors and vacuum tubes while studying electrical engineering.