Buy tubes from Audio Research or not

Kurt/Taters...i have checked with Leonard at ARC and he said the use of tubes (non-ARC supplied) will not void the warranty (assuming that Taters unit is still under warranty) which it is probably not since the VT-100mkIII was discontinued in 2006 and typical ARC warranty is 3 yrs. But anyway, just thought I'd let you know that use of non-ARC tubes does not void their warranty.

I'm not under warranty. I just need to know if it is worth spending 300.00 more to buy the tubes from ARC. A tech I spoke to today said he will not guarantee tubes bought on the free market. He only will give a warranty on ARC installed tubes.

Fortunately Cmalak confirms that you do not have to buy directly from ARC. What I would have done if they would void your warranty is buy the tubes from a someone other than ARC, but keep the old tubes, so if you have a problem, you can return your amp with the ARC tubes. I don't think this is nearly as underhanded as the prices that these equipment makers are charging their customers.

Buy from the open market, but from reputable, well-established tube vendors. Flea-bay is a real crapshoot w at least a 50% not as advertised rate, IME.

Check out TUBEDEPOT SED SV6550C. Just order matched quads or better yet 8 matched tubes!!