@audphile1 thank you.
Just how much do you spend on tubes per year on average ?
I don't mean if you have $50k tube supply in the closet, I mean the cost of tubes that you wear out and throw away.
With my VAC Avatar SE integrated, and I use only better vintage tubes, it runs about $300 so far. I buy both new and used tubes. I do have $2500 tube supply in the closet. The amp is on for at least three hours a day, often longer.
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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. |
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