How long can I expect tubes to last on a preamp or MW CD player?

I apologies for falling prey to too easy a trap for sarcasm.

let's get back to tubes life 24/7. really? what/where/who/how could you think they need to be left on? or did you just mean you listen a lot every day?

new tubes, break in: leave them on, no signal needed, go to bed, 60 hours. off. on, warm up 10 minutes, now that is how they are gonna sound. off when not listening.

as they age, still equal l/r? have favorite music that helps your awareness of strong center imaging, equal l/r. cd version best for this, just in case cartridge is not perfectly setup. actually, have both lp and cd versions, play cd, all good, play lp, still good? great!

this is my favorite test for balance/imaging

side 2, tracks 2,3 all 3 guitars, and equal audience sounds l/r

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friday_Night_in_San_Francisco

I just re-read your OP.

You can switch l/r, any volume balance change?

You can put the original tubes back in, different volume? if obvious, get some new ones.

Thanks for the advice e.  I will try that out.  I have that record, not CD, however.  I will say that the system has been leaning slightly towards the left with most all voices.  Didn't used to do that.  I have the TRL DUDE preamp so it will takes a couple days to make sure it's totally without any saved up power in the caps--I like to live, before I switch any tubes.  I can't really remember what tubes are inside other than a pair of SNL7's.  I'm not sure I have changed the other 2.

dork

the tubes you are referring to is the 6SL7 gain tubes in your dude

try swapping them side to side see if the channel imbalance switches

call or email brent jessee or jim mcshane tell them you need replacement tubes for your dude - they will know what to send you (google search will give you their contacts, they are stalwarts in audio tube supply...)

good luck

Thanks jjss49,

I will look into them.