When I was in high school (70's) I had a Dynaco SCA-35 integrated amp...about 17 watts/side using EL-84 tubes. I listened to that thing for hours on end. I never replaced a tube. When I went to college I moved to a Pioneer solid state receiver. Fast forward many years....I figure that tubes are pretty cool again. I go home and find that old integrated amp stashed away. I plug it in. Wonderful sound from all the original tubes. My experience would suggest that old gear and old European tubes lasted a long time.
