Herron VTPH-2A discontinued

That’s a bummer. Thanks inflation. I own a VPTH-2A and love it! Aside from switching out tube when they croak, I wonder how long one can expect a unit like this to last? 

I have the Herron vtph-1 mc plus.
I`ve often considered moving to the VTPH2.
I don`t see myself going back to a MM so I figured why spend money on features that are baked in to the design (for an additional cost) that I`ll never use.
Keith put blue LED`s in it for me when I asked if he could do that for me ! 

I left all the tubes stock except for a vintage Telefunken 12AU7 that I harvested from a C-20 years ago that has a painted green tip that from what I gather means low noise.
Mine sounds very nice.

I meant 12AT7 not 12AU7....

It will last longer than any of us, with occasional new tubes and very occasional replacement of electrolytic caps, like every 20 years. With heavy use a switch or potentiometer or tube socket might eventually need cleaning or replacement. But basically a unit like that has an indefinite lifespan. People still use Marantz and McIntosh preamps (and other brands) sold in the 1950s.

I found a 2 last night (which is what I had before) but wondering what is the major difference between that and the 2A? Keith did say a while back that he could upgrade my 2 to a 2A but that was right before he stopped production so that's clearly not going to happen. Any insight?