Quote Originally Posted by analog addict View Post
I'd actually beg to differ on that one, at least for the designer I know. Dennis Had could care less if your tubes last 2000 hours or 10,000 hours. He designs amps with performance in mind. It's all about the power and the sound.
I guess different strokes for different folks. I can't think of any successful amplifier designer/manufacturer that would include in their marketing literature the phrase, "We could care less if your tubes last 2000 hours or 10,000 hours."

Reliability in any piece of equipment is not the main thing, it's everything. Personally, I would never buy an amplifier where I had to worry about tubes frying every time I turn it on. And I really can't see how pushing a tube to its limits enhances anything. It might boost a little power, but it can't improve its sonic characteristics. I find it hard to believe you have to sacrifice reliability to gain performance.