A little tube magic?


I’m looking for some ideas and impressions. I’d really like to run tubes for amplification, but my system pulls double duty for music and tv. It is on probably about 8 hours a day for one or the other.  This just seems like to much to me for running tubes. I’m looking for a way to be able to keep my solid state setup but add tubes in a manner I can switch them in and out. I have couple of ideas but I am aware neither is very ideal. 
First I thought I could add a tube preamp or maybe even buffer in the tape loop of my McIntosh C46. I know this will add more complexity for the signal to pas through. I’m not sure if I can expect gains that will be better that what I lose by adding extra cables and components.

My second idea would be to add a tube power amp on some sort of switch, something similar the the Shiit SYS. Which is basically a passive preamp with two inputs and a potentiometer. I’ve read that can use it backwards kind of and have the output be the input and run the two inputs to two different amps and then switch between the two. I would think I’d need two sets of speaker cables to make this work, and switch them back and forth as needed. I’m not really fond of either idea and hope there may be a solution I’m unaware of. I really just want tubes for music and ss for tv if it’s possible.  
A third option would be to get a tube dac for music listening, but I’m unsure if I’ll be able to get the amount of tube sound I’m after. I guess I could see it as part of the solution along with tubes in the pre or power amp as well. 
Any thoughts or ideas would be much appreciated. 
brylandgoodman
Just buy a tube preamp and use it with your SS amp, very easy. Tube buffers are just a bandage on the problem.
That C46 and a good valve power amp will sound wonderful. I like Cary or Mac both quit different. I'm just amazed every time I fire up my V12r Cary or a tricked out MC240 that I have both are very special. There are plenty of different amps to choose from here too, 35-40 at least. 

SS that's different.. I use both valves and SS, BUT for bass management, SS. Tubes for mids and highs.. Works perfect and has for years and years.. The preamp you have, you will be surprised how well a Mac SS pre blends with a valve power amp.. Kinda' neat to tell the truth..

Regards
I would love to run a tube power amp but nervous about running 50+ hours a week. How long do most power tubes last?  It seems it could be pretty expensive swapping 6+ tubes on the regular. 
I would love to run a tube power amp but nervous about running 50+ hours a week. How long do most power tubes last?
@brylandgoodman

Usually the driver/voltage amplifier tubes will last 3-4 times longer than the power tubes. But a lot depends on how hard you drive the amp. If you're pushing the amp hard for power, expect to replace the power tubes more often. OTOH, if your speakers are easy to drive so the power tubes are loafing, they might last 5-10 years. Heat is the enemy of tubes; the harder you push them the hotter they will get.

So if you really want to make this work, the key is to have speakers that are easy to drive, such that the amp isn't working hard. Then 50 hours a week is no sweat.
Ralph,
Are you shipping your GaN amp?.....if so, what do the customers think?.....and how much is it?  Any specs besides 100 watts?