In terms of longevity and service issues, there are pros and cons for tube gear. First, I have never heard of tube gear taking out a speaker when it failed. I suppose it is possible with high powered stuff (which I usually avoid for sonic reasons), but, it is not likely with most amps. I have seen many more examples of solid state stuff destroying speakers, but, even then, it is not a common occurrence and it usually involves a lot of stupidity (or too liberal use of intoxicants).
One does have to change tubes when they go bad, which will happen much more frequently than the output devices on solid state going bad, but, doing the replacement is easy whereas servicing solid state is much harder, particularly finding older replacement transistors and ICs. Also, most tube amp failures are easily repairable, while solid state amp failures tend to be more difficult to repair.
Depending on one's level of interest/commitment, the fact that one can substantially change the sound and tailor it to one's system and personal taste by swapping tubes, can be the great advantages to tubes.
Aside from maintenance issues, the main consideration is what is appropriate for the particular system and taste of the listener. There are a lot of speakers that are quite difficult to drive that may be more compatible with solid state amplification (sonically as well as practical consideration such as heat). As one goes up to higher levels of tube amplification, a lot of the sonic advantages of tube gear become less evident. OTL tube amps work better than pushpull, in my opinion, at delivering higher power, but, some claim that they work well only with speakers with higher and flatter impedance curves (they have sounded great with all the speakers I've heard them with, so I don't personally know that this is a limitation).
One does have to change tubes when they go bad, which will happen much more frequently than the output devices on solid state going bad, but, doing the replacement is easy whereas servicing solid state is much harder, particularly finding older replacement transistors and ICs. Also, most tube amp failures are easily repairable, while solid state amp failures tend to be more difficult to repair.
Depending on one's level of interest/commitment, the fact that one can substantially change the sound and tailor it to one's system and personal taste by swapping tubes, can be the great advantages to tubes.
Aside from maintenance issues, the main consideration is what is appropriate for the particular system and taste of the listener. There are a lot of speakers that are quite difficult to drive that may be more compatible with solid state amplification (sonically as well as practical consideration such as heat). As one goes up to higher levels of tube amplification, a lot of the sonic advantages of tube gear become less evident. OTL tube amps work better than pushpull, in my opinion, at delivering higher power, but, some claim that they work well only with speakers with higher and flatter impedance curves (they have sounded great with all the speakers I've heard them with, so I don't personally know that this is a limitation).