Amp craftmanship/Quality


I'm not so concerned how a  amp/line stage pre amp sounds. 
No not really, MY main concern is how ~~reliable~~ it is.
To me, all tube amps sound pretty close the same.
The most single factor of importance is ~~The Reliablilty Factor~~.
Repairs as you know are expensive, not to forget the suffering involved. = Pure hell. 
I own a  Jadis Defy 7, no repairs running 7k+ hrs,(20+ yr old amp)
Knock on wood.

I had a  Cayin CD17 tube player, 8 yrs useage, no repairs,.
This is what I am talking about.
I want a  amp that will  perform day in, day out, month after month  year after year, decade after decade, with no repairs.
Quality of build is everything in a  amp, Far less imporatance how it sounds. 
How it sounds is not a relaiable factor, as each of us has a  different set of hearing. 
I think most topics here are concerned about sound, and less about The Reliability Factor. 
mozartfan
Generally speaking, gear that has been built in the last 20-30yrs is overall very robust. To place that criteria above sound quality is truly missing the boat.
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All tube amps sound very far from the same, reliability is of course important but great sound is most important.
If it breaks I toss it and buy another...what's the big deal? Never have I had anything needing repair though...maybe I'm the lucky one...there are class A Sugdens still going strong after 30 years or more, untouched. 
Reliability should play an important role, perhaps even the overriding 
consideration in choosing any equipment. Unless you buy two of everything your down time these days seems to only be growing.

We have fewer qualified techs each year. 

I think buying from a domestic maker is smart, albeit more costly.
I chose Pass Labs as their service is great and in an adjoining state.

If China moves on Taiwan, which they have openly promised to do someday, owning anything Chinese will be shameful. But in the meantime buy it and enjoy it but don't feel too smug. Your day of reckoning may be closer than you think.