You need more Audiophile friends! So you can each trade tubes and spread the costs around! But for me, I don't know a soul who is interested in stereo. Oh I've got friends who come around to listen to my system, but no one else has a good system. So I feel ya. Now your wife knows what to get you for Christmas for the next 5 years! New tube sets. It takes a long time, but in just 5 years you'll have a heck of a tube collection!
Why no tube loaner/testdrives--It's hard being an audiophile
I just wanted to vent for a moment. I'm going to quote my wife and file this under "It's hard being an audiophile" as there is some absurdity to the fact that I view this issue as a real life problem.
The issue:
My Primaluna integrated amp has 6 premp tubes and 8 power tubes. While the unit makes tube rolling a snap, it's (a) difficult to find or at reasonable prices NOS tubes in larger batches; (b) reissue or new tubes cost a bunch to experiment with.
For example, if I want to swap in a set of Gold Lion KT77 power tubes (I've already tried the stock EL34s and Mullard re-issues), it's a small fortune to do so. I think the GL KT77 may be the ticket, yet making another expenditure to find out seems pricey. I wish I could borrow a set and pay a tryout fee, as opposed to spending $400 on a set.
The issue:
My Primaluna integrated amp has 6 premp tubes and 8 power tubes. While the unit makes tube rolling a snap, it's (a) difficult to find or at reasonable prices NOS tubes in larger batches; (b) reissue or new tubes cost a bunch to experiment with.
For example, if I want to swap in a set of Gold Lion KT77 power tubes (I've already tried the stock EL34s and Mullard re-issues), it's a small fortune to do so. I think the GL KT77 may be the ticket, yet making another expenditure to find out seems pricey. I wish I could borrow a set and pay a tryout fee, as opposed to spending $400 on a set.