What do you see as the downside of tubes?

What are the downside of tubes?

I think the greatest downside is that some people simply expect too much from tube amps.

They want the tubes so they can experience a wonderful liquidity in the mid range - but then are annoyed at the lack of vice like control over the bass.

They want the tubes to experience a wonderful 3D vocal image - but then are annoyed that the soundstage does not extend up to a mile behind the front speaker plane.

They want the tubes so they can enjoy a wonderfully smooth and unfatiquing reproduction to the music but then are annoyed that some of the details are missing and resolution does not seem to be of the highest possible magnitude.

They want the tubes so they can tweak the sound by 'tube rolling' but then get annoyed that the price of some most desirable NOS tubes are going through the roof - and after the same tubes are fitted - they still have not achieved the musical 'shangri-la'.

The downside to tubes is not really the physical characteristic of the tubes themselves or when placed in a circuit what they contribute or do not contribute to the sound. Rather, the downside to tubes is the unrealistic expectations that some audiophiles continue to attribute to them.

Krauti- Here's an informative article that will give you some idea about the presentaions of various 300Bs: (http://www.stereophile.com/features/229/) Pay attention to the paragraphs concerning burning them in before critical listening. Many attempt to integrate tubes and their systems, without first doing sufficient homework. When the expectations aren't met; they get frustrated. What a surprise!! A well thought out, tube based system(that includes your acoustic environment) can bring you very close to the pleasures of live music. Here's a 300B that wasn't available when the above article was penned: (http://thetubestore.com/eat-300b.html)

Kiwi-I think I would have to disagree with your view on bass and I am wondering if you have any experience with
tubes more than just listening to a friends system or auditioning
My question is based on "control over bass".
I consider control over bass as being a accurate reproduction with all the related properties that go along with it;and a tube amp is certainly capable of doing this
at least in my system and experiences.
I don't consider this as a downside over tubes.

Krauti-I was wondering what is drawing you to this tube as I have never heard one.

What is drawing me to this tube is very much some reviews of the amplifier in question and the sound supposedly being this "the singer's in the room with you".

I have to admit that the little brother of that amp, the Due Venti, did a marvelous job in my opinion and I have asked myself if I should get that one as it's available right where I live and would even cost me $500 less, new warranty and everything whereas the 300B I'm interested isn't new. On the other hand at least judging by the reviews I prefer the sound of the 300B based amp over the Due Venti with it's EL34's.

Decisions, decisions :)

If the 300B