I think it varies by tube and component. For my AR preamp the large 6H30P is 2,000 hours the rest of the 5 smaller tubes it is 3,000 hours according to Audio Research. But after about 2,000 hours one channel developed an intermittent whistle. So I changed all the small tubes and it went away. There recommendation may be based on optimal performance, not how long they will work. I have “heard” there is a performance drop off, but I cannot confirm from experience.
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George
Main: Aurender W20SE music streamer, ARC REF 9SE DAC / CD, Linn LP 12, Koetsu Rosewood SignCartrige, ARC REF 3 Phono Stage, ARC REF 6SE Preamp, ARC 160s amp, Sonus Faber Amati Traditional Speakers,Transparent Ultra IC & SC Library:Aurender N100, Ayre QB9 2020 DAC, Woo WA5-LE amp upgraded tubes, Focal Utopia HP, Sennheiser 800s HP, LCD HP.
Last edited by George Prentice; 12-03-2020 at 02:01 AM.
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