Just how much do you spend on tubes per year on average ?

OP

Highly dependent on the system synergy and how hard the Amps are on the tubes. I have tube rolled since only the pandemic, and I must have hit under 2K for 5 years? not bad. But note, I only buy NOS. and I have an 845 Power Amp. 

So just to be clear, I am not referring to Tube maintenance (tube replacement) but rather Tube tuning / rolling. The good thing is that you will eventually find what you want and settle for that brand, make and model. 

then if you gear is easy on the tubes, (I have the LTA Microzotl)  that can last for years. So, my opinion is to Tube roll and find what you're looking for and then settle on the tubes. just get replacements as budget allows

@audphile1 thank you. 

Assuming the amp is operating as it should, anyone ever heard about Mullard XF2 blowing up and taking part of the amp with it ? I bought this quad on the Mart as test NOS set. I don't have a tube tester so couldn't confirm it. I put about 1500 hours on them, I'll see how far they will go. And signal tubes are Mullard 12AX7 long narrow plates from late 1950s, bought NOS from Brent of Audio Tubes, and Sylvania 12AU7 long black plates from 1950s, bought used test NOS on ebay. Sylvania were inexpensive, each pair of Mullard was $450. Brent said Mullard long plates should last at least 5000 hours in my VAC. very possibly longer.

Didn’t mean to make you paranoid @inna 

:)

audphile1, you didn't. One reason why I use these tubes, besides the sound, is that they are known to be very sturdy and reliable. And they are getting more and more expensive. I paid $500 for this quad a little over a year ago, now it is $700-$800 for two matched pairs. Finding matched quad from a reliable or seemingly reliable seller is next to impossible. So yes, there is some pain involved but I will manage.