Do you think that 12AX7 Mullard long plates from 1950s would last longer than 12AX7 RCA black plates from early 1950s ? I would guess yes but I might be wrong.
They would not sound the same but that's another point.
"vintage 12AX7 and 12AU7 can last for 10000 hours if you are lucky” - it’s pure engineering, nominal usage conditions vs. spec etc.. harder driven devices last less..
Couldn't resist, just bought matched pair of NOS Mullard 12AX7 long narrow plates from Brent of Audiotubes.
I can't find NOS matched three Sylvania 12AU7 long black plates anywhere. I have NOS RCA early 1950s black plates, but the Sylvania are a touch better in this amp.
inna, the problem of matching NOS tubes is a difference in two different devices behavior in the aging process, where theoretically two devices can be only matched one time. lucky matched NOS tubes buyers are those who get tubes from the same production batch/lot, which is the same as winning lottery ticket!
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