Hi, I agree w/the posters who mentioned ARC power amps for having long tube life. Both of my ARC amps use 6550's; ARC gives a very conservative estimate of 1500 hrs on these power tubes but I and other owners have found much longer life. My VT100 Mk 3 uses 6H30 supertubes for drivers, rather than 6922's as the older VT100's do, and the 6H30's are rated for 10,000+ hours. BAT gear also uses the new 6H30's w/this very long tube life. But again, these are driver tubes and they tend to last longer anyway. My ARC gear need matched quads of 6550's, so keep a spare single around just in case one tube goes bad and you have a good one to test with. About B&W 804's w/tubes: there is a guy selling his Matrix 804's and his Anthem tube amp on this site right now, I would email him about his experience running the 804's with tubes. I think 100 tube watts would be fine w/these speakers, but I haven't heard them for myself.
Tube reliability in amps
I am contemplating the purchase of a tube power amp. I already have an Audible Illusions pre-amp, which has given me virtually no problems tube wise. I would like to hear from a bunch of Audiogoners on how long power amp tubes last in the real world, do I have to keep matched pairs or sets around or can I just replace one? Also I have B&W matrix 804's and I have been told tube amps are not a match for them or that I need a lot of power (read expensive tube amp). Wavering between tube and SS, HELP.
PS. I listen to orchestral music and piano. Sometimes loud like about 90 db.
Thanks
PS. I listen to orchestral music and piano. Sometimes loud like about 90 db.
Thanks