i mean they glow brightly, brighter than preamp tubes, and brighter than tubes i've had previously (they were probably used up), but there's no glowing on a plate (like in the picture:
http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/thetubestore/redglow.jpg )
mine looks like this:
http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/2761/03072009001.jpg (sorry for the quality but the picture was taken with the cell phone)