Urgent ! Brent Jessee, Audiotubes, is closing on March 5th. Run buy something !

dammit. there goes 2 of "the big 3"

Lot's of guys are looking for that big retirement cash-in in cases where their own children want nothing to do with the family business. I imagine he has some good sales, excellent goodwill, and will get a sizeable cheque. 

I imagine he has a nice personal stash for him to enjoy for the next few decades.  Time to work less and listen more. 

Sorry to hear this news.  I discovered Brent's business about 10 years ago when I acquired an MC225 built in my birth year, 1963, a Dennis Had built LP3.1 Preamp and Inspire 45 "Fire Bottle" amp, and a Reisong A10 integrated.  Brent helped me with tube selection on each, including original McIntosh labeled tubes as back ups to the original tubes that were in the MC225.  I hope he sells to someone who continues the great service and product availability that Brent provided.  Have a great retirement.

I suspect the deeper issue is NOS tube inventory has dried up. I actually spoke with him about it a couple of years ago. He mentioned that it was much harder to source the tubes and prices were getting steeper all the time. I’m disappointed as I just got turned on to tube amps the last few years. 

Who will buy his business when it is indeed getting harder and harder to find guaranteed NOS tubes ?