What do you see as the downside of tubes?

Not sure if anyone mentioned that some tube amps may take a while to warm up and sound right after turned on.

I think tubes at the line stage level in the source or pre-amp rather than in the power amp are a lower impact way to get some of the merits of good tube sound while minimizing the exposure to some of the downsides mentioned. That's where I am with my system at present.

For me the downside is lack of power, and thus
compatibility with my speakers...Usher 6381 that Usher states are mated better with SS. I'm guessing its because they're probably difficult to drive adequately with most tube amps. I'm bummed, I'd love to try one.

Wow, I've never received more replies to a post than this one. Guess what Semi said is what convinced me most :)

Seems that the availability of tubes will be the biggest issue to be considered, followed by the heat. As I don't listen for long stretches of time the heat should be tolerable and knowing that tubes are expensive simply means that I'll have some fun looking for them right away while they are still available.

Haven't actually dropped the money for it yet but will very soon and can't wait to get it. Right now I'm using my old Denon receiver and it's not quite what I want to use on the long run, otherwise I could have kept my Electrocompaniets as these of course were a lot nicer as far as SS stuff goes than the Denon.

Well, glad I got all the replies and feel highly encouraged to go for the tubes. The only direction I could imagine changing my mind to is to a tube amp that uses more affordable tubes and I'm not really considering that yet.

Thanks again

The heat is really only an issue if you don't use a tube cage and have small kids. I hate being hot. Yet I am not warmed up by the tubes in either of my two main rigs each uses either 8 output tubes fat botle 6CA7s or KT-88s.
I own 7 tube amps all work.
I own 4 SS amps 3 work.
Of all the preamp tubes I have used only one just one burnt out unexpectedly. The out put tubes in the past 7 years required 2 new sets and after two burnt out in that entire time giving me cause to replace all. Only one time did a now notorious KT77 go down requiring repairs.
The downside is the comment regarding the enormous variety of tubes to try. It can and did get ridiculous in my case fast. Output tubes cost too much to play around with very often.
The sound of a good tube is magical we all know this. Therefore when one gives you more magic it reinforces the idea that you should persue as yet others at first. Then you can honestly settle on your preferences and feel comfortable. I know the 12AU7 I like better than all the others I care to try I also know the 6922 I prefer. My largestbsingle group are 6SN7s but I am very close to shutting the book on that as well.
A downside is that there is no meter on the tubes telling you when they have given their best so you may experience mysterious declines in the tube magic.
I have some solid state for specific applications that you wish tubes would do just as well, but don't. The price of the finite number of NOS/OS tubes has made owning some classics quite prohibitive. A fortunate upsurge in the quality of new production helps alleviate the need for NOS. has made enormous strides but they are not cheap either.
Maybe it is just my luck but my SS amps have had at least as many issues as my tube amps.
Yes turning the rig off is a pain especially when it's the middle of a good session and the tubes are humming (figuratively). That is when they are simply glorious the downside is hearing the march to being in top operation every session knowing it will take time, you can't help but notice the delay.
I am a convert. Until I say I have had it! No more tweaking. And stick with just one rig and one favorite tube for each position and the search for a slightly better tube layout and brands is an albatross around your neck. When the economy didn't hurt me personally, the hunt for the best combination was fun. If I had to start now it would be quite onerous.
I hope my kids will like tubes when they get older and appreciate the collection I have. If not I better put a coda on my will.