one channel dead as a door nail

Dead power tube would be my guess. Check amp's fuses. Then try switching the two power tubes and see if the channels problems reverse. If both channels work you probably just had a temporary tube short. If the problem changes channels, you've probably got a dead power tube.

tubes are brand spanking new. But it's probably the amp. I switched the pre amp ICs out to amp + and - and the sound, still, is dead in the same speaker, so it's not the pre. Fuse possibly?

switched the tubes just to see. Newbee, you're the man. Good thing I saved the old 845s. Three month old Shuguang 845Bs! This can happen? Inherent problem with the tube? The amp?

Welcome to the world of tubes! You just popped your cherry.
Always keep extra 'bulbs' on hand.

John

First, I don't think your allowing nearly enough time for your pre-amp tubes to warm up. Give them at least a couple of minutes before switching on the amplifier in the future. Then make sure all of your connections are firm. (I had a cleaning lady dust behind my equipment rack, inadvertantly disconnecting a speaker cable with the result of one "dead" channel). Then check your fuses and tubes. I hope this helps,