If history has taught us anything, anytime the supply side fails and there is unserved demand someone will spring up to serve the unserved market. Once Chinese manufacturers sense that there’s a vacuum in the supply I’m sure they’re start a few tube plants. Sure there will be a shortage for a year or so and the new supplies will be unreliable but eventually the dust will settle and new champions will rise from the chaos. Who knows, there might be some small tube factory waiting to be turned on in the former iron curtain countries. Exciting times!
The panic selling of tube audio had begun.
I think it is a bit crazy. I run tube gear sometimes 12 hours a day and hardly ever have to replace any tubes. My tube amplifiers have been mostly as reliable as stones and maybe more so than my SS gear since I've had failures with that. And none with any of the 70 or so tube amps pres etc I have owned over the last 35 years. I design loudspeakers so run my amps much and have to have a wide selection of types. Still while sad for those who panic easily it's an opportunity to pick up low priced tube kit and after a week or so I will most likely be making some lower offers on ads till I get a bite. So if thinking of selling your tube gear because you feel no more tubes ever please do so I have my eyes on a few amps maybe it will be yours.