How far over the limit can I go


I am currently just past the recommended 2000 tube life on my power amp. (Audio Research Ref 110).  It still sounds glorious. Am I playing with fire here?  Or, will I notice some degradation in sound that will prompt the re-tube.  I think it's about $1,000 to retube.  

Thanks guys!!!
jemmer01
You will have to have the tubes tested to see how they are but tube sound degradation happens over a period of time slow loss until the tubes fail so you do not really notice until you have to fix the tubes because of noise issues or replacement because of total failure.
Audio R, is historically worthy of professional care. $1000  is a gift to enable AR gear to sustain their beauty.
One thing you absolutely need to keep in mind is to replace the 6550 power rectifier tube at 2000 regardless of whether you remove the 8 power tubes. If you don’t and that tube fails (you won’t hear anything in terms of sound because it’s not in the signal pathway) you can fry the board. And that is a very expensive repair......

@co93

let’s not confuse matters, ok?

the arc ref110 does not run a 6550c as a rectifier -- it uses solid state rectification

https://www.arcdb.ws/model/REF110 -- see ’tube complement’ under specifications

We agree, if it isn’t broke,....your great!

  I phoned my local shop a few weeks ago, inquiring about my old B&K pro10mc preamp (the mid 90’s version.) for a recap, new volume pot, as the stock came in a sealed pot, & there are no originals out there. He asked me if it has static, or noise, or anything else,...I said the only issue is some crosstalk via some inputs, but this is normal on this pre, and the static on the volume control.
   I said, I keep the pre off, and go back & forth with the vol knob, many many times, to spread some of the grease bad on the track, it s fine I said, he said, there is no need to waste money, I was shocked,   
  She still works, as does my aging Onkyo p-308, and my elite dv-79avi player.    When the pioneer goes out , I will be sad, the best player I’ve ever owned, sonically, video, etc.  

  the aging McCormack I bought used is no slouch!!,....the UDP-1
a nice player, only issue is we have another elite the dv-48 I think??
   Using the remote with one player turns on the other, (nothing a thin piece of colored tape remedies)


     Your money, your tubes, if it sounds great,.then rock on, but that (WORRY) I’m sure is in your head, sending a massive spike to a speaker,......and frying something.

 I feel the same way with my amps,.  You never know how, or when it *may* happen.

    I did send in my Sunfire to that flannery guy, he was a pleasure to deal with, a bit more $ than I thought was charged / vs, the parts replaced, etc. but, the amp is like new, plows through any speaker I hook up, even my friends Aerial’s and my modded CV D-9’s with a 2.6-3.? Ohm dip. 

  Back on track,  ....1K is not too bad, as far as audio goes, may be find a nice mom n pop place to do the work.

good luck!
keep us informed!