My Sony 1031q has conked out, (bad GA board, but tubes are pristine). While looking for another 1031 to part out, I ran across a Barco Data 600. The ad says to make an offer.

Anyone know how much I should pay for a BD600 with what I am assuming are tired tubes?

And more importantly, is a cheap 600 and a 3 tube swap from my 1031 a silly idea? :cool:

First - the good news is that the Barco tubes may well not be burnt - it isn't unusual for a 600 to have 10K hours, and no appreciable burn.

Bad news is that your offer should be to haul it away without charging him anything. Without the RCDVS400 box, or possibly the little adapter wart, you can't even get a picture with one. Assuming the extra, albeit required parts are included, at best you have a nice, relatively dim (5.5"), ES focus projector with analog convergence. Not familiar with your Sony, but having started with a Data 600, I can only imagine it being a step up from nothing.

Dunno about tube swap, but again, other than just for the fun of it, can't imagine a reason to do it. Far superior projectors can be found for under 500 bucks.