What New Production Tubes Last These Days??

[phil b]

Are there any?? I've been using Ruby {JJ} KT77s and Ruby preamp tubes for a few years now in my Einstein and properly biased. Seems they only last not even a year. Others I've tried in other amps are EH, and Sovtek. I have some 6l6 Groove tubes from the late eighties that have many hours on them and not only do they sound better but test stronger on my tester than the newer Ruby. Is this the new norm in newer production tubes? My 6l6s seem to last on average about a year and half, but the most i've gotten out of the KTs was around a year. Amps get played every day but not band levels every day. Hell, even the early 90s Mesa branded tubes I have test as strong as new EH. All come from reputable places and were matched pairs or quads. Gold Lion kts are twice the price and if they last I'm all for it, but I would hate to throw the $$ at them to only last same as the Rubys... Uhg!

 

[ProgFree]

I think that a year a year and a half for tubes that get played everyday is quite good nowadays.

 

[LP Freak]

Somewhere between five minutes and five years

 

[phil b]

I think that a year a year and a half for tubes that get played everyday is quite good nowadays.

Just a surprise that all these newer tubes dont last too long given the Chinese tubes from the early 90s had a great lifespan under the same conditions. At least I know that its not just me I guess. Just trying to avoid going down the rabbit hole with the NOS stuff.