Is upgrading stock tubes standard proceedure?

Up grading (changing) your systems sound by changing tubes is fundamental and I think understood by most folks who venture into tubes today. It is not my intent to rain on your parade but I think your enthusiasm should be tempered a tad.

IMHO the assumption that using NOS tubes is the only way to effectively tune a component or system is fallacious. There are numerous excellent new production tubes available which will meet the needs of many tube users. And they are easy to research, obtain, and usually cheap, so when your tastes don't coincide with those of folks who recommended them, you won't be out much money. This is especially true of power tubes but often some new production small tubes will serve quite well. It all depends on system resolution, balance, and the degree of listening skills/interest.

Whereas buying NOS tubes, which are most often anything but NEW old stock (unusued tubes that is) can be a major hassle and introduce you to the dark side of internet tube sales.

Even when working with a reputable dealer of old tubes, unless he is clairvoyant, or just happens to understand the sonics of your system or your desires, his recommendations will be generic and optomistic. Just read all of the requests for assistance in purchasing different tubes from users which are devoid of information sufficient to guage their needs. Now note all of the folks willing to recommend all of the great NOS tubes that will assuredly serve them well.

Doesn't make much difference when you are talking about $10 to $25 per tube but when you are talking about some excellent Amperex or Siemans, Tele's or Mullards, you had better have a lot of money for tubes and KNOW what you need before you buy.

Like Mofimadness I have a large stash of old tubes but I can assure you I didn't buy them just to have a stash, hord, or resale. They are tubes I bought for use that didn't sound quite right when I actually plugged them in. I'm saving them, confident that their time will come. They include some $200 a pair true NOS Amperex's and Siemans. I'm sure Mofimadness has his gems as well. :-)

IMHO NOS tube acquisition is not for the tube newbie unless they also enjoy buying expensive wire without being able to return for exchange or refund.

FWIW.

I have a simple ARC vs-i55 and changed out the stock tubes. 20 percent improvement! Others may say 20 percent loss. Who know but give it a try.

The glory of tube gear is that you can alter the sound with all the different brands of tubes to choose from, each brand having it's own sonic signature.

Hi Newbee,
If my elation suggested that I believe that my first significant move to one of the classic NOS tubes resulted in the ideal selection, that was not my intention. However, the improvement from my previous Sovtek and Electro Harmonix 6922s shouldn't be trivialized by comparing it to a change in tone control. With all due respect to the subjectivity involved in tube choices, sometimes better is better and what I'm hearing is way better. I'm now hearing musical detail that was formerly obscured; instruments and voices are both more natural and nuanced. I have no doubt that more experienced guys like you, Tvad, and Mofimadness could introduce me to a dozen or more tubes that would challenge my listening skills. That said, I am encouraging people, like myself, who have a piece of equipment that retailed for $4000 and came equipped with $40 worth of tubes to investigate a change in those tubes. I think you might be surprised by the number of people, as T2232 suggested, who upgrade components to realize improvements when a change in tubes would suffice. Many audiophiles put their faith in dealers and audio publications and I've never walked into a dealership and been advised to change tubes instead of components.

Phaelon, for what it's worth, I've been doing this for a lot of years and agree 100% with your comments.

Without NOS tubes, my system would take a huge hit in performance.

As you say, not just a tonal balance or preference thing, the right NOS tubes make the equipment perform better in every way.