How Long Should a First Watt SIT3 Last ?

The Brand new Sold Out already NP-1 Frank Van Alstine amp with new AVA technology is my new amp w/ AudioGD tube pre and Borresen X-3 speakers w/ Audio Mirror DAC and CEC transport....Magic and an outright Steal if they’ll sell you one at $1,199...It’s magic. Van Alstine is on to something here. Bests my 6-8K amps. If you love MUSIC, you have to grab one.

I have two Futterman OTL3s with 10 tubes each. 
I have a Beard P505 preamp. with 9 tubes. 
I have been using them for 39 years. 
I have a Pro-ject tube box D2 with 2 tubes. 39 days. 
 

Jon Specter keeps them going. The Futtermans were dicey for the first 10 years, but since then, 14 years between servicing. Contact me via my website if you want to speak to him. He’s in NJ. 
 

theaudioatticvinylsundays.com

Thank you all for the recommendations. I am waiting to hear the verdict on my Quicksilvers, its been two weeks and I am eager.

The next step is always right in front of you.

TD 

I’ve been a tube guy since the early ’70s. Lots of high quality tube amps over the years. Have been using Lamm ML2 SET amps since around 2006 in a chain that is all tube, from phono, to power supply, to line stage, to amps. I use NOS tubes throughout.

I’ve been considering a back up, especially for summer (it gets a tad hot here in Central Texas) and I want to minimize my tube consumption (the big Russian triodes aren’t hard to find, but getting pairs that work in the amps requires me to buy them through Lamm).

One low powered SS amp (mono blocs) that is supposed to be a contender is the Valvet. It doesn’t get a lot of publicity, but the company has been around for a long time, the amps are made to a high specification in Germany. Worth a look if you you are considering a change from tubes. (I don’t expect these to have the same magic as the Lamm SETs but from folks who are familiar with the sonic signature of both, the Valvet is considered a real contender in SS). There is a US distributor who has handled the line for a while. 

Good luck. I remember Quicksilver from ye olde days-- a well regarded brand. Though tubes can be a PITA, they are often pretty simple to have repaired.

@tonydennison You can buy on the Bay a Sonance Sonamp 260, shipped, for under $100, all in. A very nice amp at the price and would be an excellent back up for your Heresys. You could have been listening to music through your system this entire time. Everyone should have a backup. My best, MrD.