Do you use or have you used the Hovland HP-100? If so, do you find it to be overly tough on the tubes? The last couple sets of NOS Mullards that I installed seemed to get noisy rather quickly, after about six months. Have you experienced this issue?
Also, have you tried the EAT 12AX7's? They are very pricey!
I had this pre for about 4 years. Purchased new. Never replaced tubes, or heard any need to. Loved the pre, ir performed flawlessly and was gorgeous looking, but moved up the food chain.
I moved up -- and it really was a move up -- to a Wyetech Opal and have not looked back. After rolling different tubes, I now use Sylvania Bad Boys and Russian NOS 6sn7's or whatever the Russian equivalent was and have been very happy. It's the one component I hardly ever think of replacing.
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