I can't say I agree. I have one and it only gave me trouble after about 2 years of 3 or 4 hour a day use. And that is leaving it on for 12 hours+ at a time which you shouldn't do.
Remember though, unlike PP Pentode amps which are easy on tubes and very reliable, it is a pure class A single ended pentode amp. That means from a heat disipation standpoint, which factors in to how some resitors and caps wear out, it is harder on itself at idle than in usage, because the tubes are "on" all the time, but not moving along with anything. So it runs just a hot or hotter at idle. From my experience. Turn it on, warm it up, use it, and turn it off. It brings the tubes up on a variac so startup doesn't hurt your tubes.
Most of all you will have to maintain this amp. No if's and's or but's as they say. It is a very nice sounding amp though. Most of your problems come from undervalued parts, which should be replaced as they go out or as upgrade. I have a website for you but I can't think of it just now.
Remember though, unlike PP Pentode amps which are easy on tubes and very reliable, it is a pure class A single ended pentode amp. That means from a heat disipation standpoint, which factors in to how some resitors and caps wear out, it is harder on itself at idle than in usage, because the tubes are "on" all the time, but not moving along with anything. So it runs just a hot or hotter at idle. From my experience. Turn it on, warm it up, use it, and turn it off. It brings the tubes up on a variac so startup doesn't hurt your tubes.
Most of all you will have to maintain this amp. No if's and's or but's as they say. It is a very nice sounding amp though. Most of your problems come from undervalued parts, which should be replaced as they go out or as upgrade. I have a website for you but I can't think of it just now.