Tube preamplifier lifespan

I have a Sonic Frontiers preamp built in '94 that still sounds great.   Many small signal tubes can last 10,000 hours , that's a lot of listening time.   

I've had it about 5 years and it still works flawlessly.  

This issue just came up with me this month.  I was interested in “daisy chaining” the balanced output from my McIntosh preamp output to my SVS subwoofer input, then balanced output from the SVS to a PS Audio BHK 300 balanced input.  That arrangement would save me significant new in-wall and attic install of a balanced cable run.  The SVS tech was concerned about combining the two components, and specifically the potential additional circuitry strain on the output of my tube preamp output.  The exact point being, it was because I was using a tube preamp.  He said many tube preamps might not be able to handle it (he looked up specs of both pieces of gear and started crunching ohms).  There wasn’t published the necessary spec for the McIntosh preamp, so to be safe, he encouraged me to contact McIntosh.  The McIntosh tech was a bit put off by my question, discussing potential parts wear, saying “we build McIntosh preamps to last 30 years.”

My Lazarus Cascade Basic preamp was bought new ~ 1987 and is still going strong.  I've replaced the power supply caps and resistors, along with some audio caps.  The metal film resistors are all good.  I suppose it depends on a particular preamp, but no issues with this one.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/xNJNjZzSi8vAq67V9

^^^^^ THIS^^^^^

BTW Lazarus was raised from the dead by Jesus.

Go SS!

Yeah I think that what PS Audio said to you is a little misleading. 

It would depend on the quality of the product. But I even have a couple Dynaco preamps that I can personally date back to the 70's that I can plug in & they work. I'm sure some parts are out of spec though. 

I have an Assemblage preamp which is on offshoot from Sonic Frontiers built in like '98. It was modded to the gills with top of the line resistors & overkill pricey Hexfred diodes..the power supply electrolytics were replaced with Films in the original  build. I still use it occasionally & it sounds nice. I do get an audible scratch from the  Nobles volume pot when I pass the 12 o'clock position. 

So I think it depends on the product. 20 years is probably time for some electrolytic replacements but many old tube products are still alive & kicking. Well I did have a tube preamp manufactured in 2012 with a very small chassis that I had to replace the electrolytics after 11 years. Couple bulging caps but just replaced them all.