Tubes should be available now from ARC. I have a Ref 5 SE and got tired of waiting for ARC to replenish their stock. They said they had to reject 90% of the tubes they were getting in. So I bought tubes from other vendors and lost the ARC "magic" sound. While hopefully waiting for those tubes to "burn in", ARC notified me that they finally had my tubes in stock so I ordered a set for spares. When they arrived I thought I'd switch them out with the ones I had previously purchased and right away the magic was back! So I am recommending ARC's matched sets, they are picky for a reason.
REF5SE tubes
Time to retube. If tube’s direct from ARC and NOS tubes are not in the picture, what would be next best for tubes? Haven’t purchased anything from Upscale , so that’s out.
Appreciate any and all advice.