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Is it common for tubes to outweigh the cost of the amp or preamp?

I just got my first tube (headphone) amp and was wondering if it is common to spend more on the tubes than the actual cost of the amp. The amp was $599 with stock tubes. I just ordered NOS driver tubes that ran $640 for the pair and the power tube upgrade I'm planning will be another $300. That has the tubes sitting at 1.5 times the cost of the amp itself.

I don't find the total of $1539 for the amp and upgraded tubes unreasonable but considering the next model (amp) up is $1199, it has me wondering what would be better... a lower cost amp with superior tubes or a higher cost amp with stock tubes?
samiamnot

Showing 1 response by celander

celander's avatar
celander
1,503 posts
 
Ahhh....one of the beauties of owning tube gear is upgrading or rolling in new tubes. Enjoy the adventure!!

I own a variety of tubed audio equipment: AI Modulus 2B, Modulus 3A and Modulus 3B, BAT VK50, Juicy Music BlackBerry Extreme, Hurricane amps, a Response Audio-modded Ming Da preamp and personally hand-rebuilt Dyna
ST-70’s and Dyna MkIII mono’s. All have suffered the tube rolling endeavor. Lol
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