Buy tubes from Audio Research or not

"There is a reason ARC charge as much for the tubes as they do - they measure their tubes, burn them in inhouse for 48h, measure them again - and then throw away those that up to specs. As much as 30% tubes gets rejected this way. No other independent tube supplier I'm aware of does offer this kind of service."

I'll be needed tubes for an ARC sp16 pre-amp at some point.

My impression is that the QC service ARC provides as described is worth a premium.

Anybody know how much of a premium to expect to pay for tubes from ARC versus other likely internet sellers?

I took a chance and just bought 6 new Groove Tube 12AX7s for my sp16 from Guitar Center.

They cost $120 ($20 each) and I was able to walk in and buy them.

The tubes from ARC would have cost $200 + shipping, etc.

It worked out fine. I do not hear any noticeable difference between these and the ARC originals.

Maybe I got lucky. Either way would have worked fine I suppose.