Tube amps - what 3 things…

Hello mpoll1. Not to be a downer - have you considered the cost of replacing tubes? They do wear out in time and die a natural death. One day the amp is working fine and the next day it isn't. A matched pair of output tubes can set you back over $1,000. Are you ready for that? Put $1500 in a savings account and wait. I just had to replace a set of tubes myself. Ouch!  Plan well, listen happily!

@mulveling, man your type of clear and concise information is this is why I read this forum. Very direct an super informative empirical data. Peace ✌️

1. (Big, read 1940s- 1950s NOS) Choke filtered power supply

2. Fixed (manually adjustable) output tube bias

3. 2 times maximum duty rated transformers (power and output)

Bonus round: Point-to-point wiring

Features, approach:

• Confirm speakers used long term
• Output tubes, ensure availability, spares
• Quality parts, design, transformers

NOs:

• Avoid cheap junk parts used

 

A couple or three inputs so you don't need a pre-amp. Quality of construction (which does not rule out certain Chifi devices). Warranty and/or a good technician in your area who understands tube amps for when things go south. The efficiency of your chosen speakers.