Overpriced Tube Amps

One of the biggest myth about tube gear is the tube life.
Many folks thought that they need to get new set of tubes every 2 years or so. In reality, if you listen to your setup average 25 hours a week, you probably won't need to replace the tube for at least 5 years. In 5 years, many of us might already sold the amp and try something else.
NOS tubes is like real estate, folks just buy them up so that they don't have to pay premium price for it later.
The question would be: How long do you plan to keep the amp?
As far as for preamp tube goes, they're even less wear. Most of time, you probably will never need to replacement or maybe every 10 years.

I would suggest that tube gear lovers should just go out and get that gear you want. The good old rusted transformer can still function very well. I have gears from the 50's and they sound better than many of the modern gears.

This really shows quality of the good old parts. Why do some folks love good old chevy nova? reliable and can take abuse.

I'll take as many NOS Mullard or Amperex EL-34's as I can for $100- each! How about some Gold Lion KT-88's, while we're at it :-)

This is America (except for those of you who are not in America LOL). Free enterprise + PT Barnum = high prices whenever possible.

By and large (yes there are a FEW exceptions) availability of used/old/commodity items drives price. Thus diamonds (which are actually anything but rare) are pricey because the cartels weave an elaborate web of deception to convince the general public that they are rare.

The tube amps you refer to have been touted as both rare and superior when in fact they are probably neither. It is all in the perception. If Lautrec had made thousands of paintings how much do you think each would fetch?

No have to shop around for the tubes at those prices.
Ive gotten amperex orange globes at 17.00 each from echoaudio.com Rca Back plate 12au7 for 2.50 each ( killer ) from a private suplier. tunsgram 12ax7 upscale audio for 25.00 a pair, telefunkin 12au7's from curbed console stereo (free) Mullard 12at7's free from a deal,RFT 12au7 germany at 12.00 each,prima 6922 equivlent for 15.00 each RCA cleartops for 2.50each Some microphnic and many others.I did spend 70.00 a pair for a NOS Matched pair of Sylvania 5751 gold brand Black plate USAF in original boxes. Ive never seen another pair of those yet.Equipment that pisses me off VTL, audio research, ect. have had classic 30 60 Vt200, vtl 300, hurricanes, Zeus, v12cary rogue 120 mag, 120 regular, Melos mat400 monos,10 different tube preamps,25 solid stae amps ranging to 12,000 a pair.and am going strong ;)

These posts have been a tour de force for you, Marty! Thanks for the belly laughs!!!

By the way, anyone remember George Wendt doing the Meister Brau commercials? Kind of like what Marty just put out there, only the company was actually serious. Still, when old Nahhhmy is your pitchman, you can get away with a lot.