Hehehe... I understand Marco's point - which incidentally is what I meant by the comment that some types of current production tubes are quite good. Perhaps that applies most to some boutique tubes.
In general, the gap on power tubes is less apparent as well, that much also I would agree with readily. I had to reply about the GEC example, though, since that one hits home for me. I desperately wish the gold monarchs weren't as big a leap as they were in the two KT88 amps I've used... I now own two octets of GEC gold monarchs (may sell one now that I only need 8 instead of 12). I would LOVE to sell mine and put the cash into something else, but A/B comparisons - even with that listening bias - just won't allow me to do so... I have tried a LOT of other KT88s too. I dunno. I found the same with the metal base 6sn7s as well. Perspectives on cost-return must be even more variable an analysis in audio than sound quality is. Later degrees in improvement sometimes just seem to cost so much more than the early leaps in everything performance-related.
Now of course I'm going to contradict the perspective I just pitched...
Not going to touch the comment about Svetlana vs WE 300Bs except to ask what 300B you liked the best, Marco? I mostly ask because I'm curious; I liked several of the new production 300Bs immensely - KR 300BXLS and a couple of the meshplates in particular seemed to do so much right. Of course I was taking $$$ into account for the 8 300Bs I needed and decided in that case that the returns were just not worth the extra cash. Don't worry, I apply the same inconsistencey to cars and every other hobby I have too! ;)
Also, Newbee gave what sounds like very good advice to me - starting on the earlier gain stages (i.e. DAC and preamp) will give you the highest bang for the buck in almost all rigs.
