how about finding a dealer who carries, and has lots of experience with, tube equipment, then taking components home for try-outs before buying? a good dealer will do this, and it would've saved you all the above problems.
I've personally used tubes for 20+ years (dynaco, audible illusions, CAT, Cary) with almost no problems. in fact, in some ways, tubes make problem-solving easy, since most issues are just a bad tube, easily diagnosed by switching out tubes. sorry to hear your tale of misery though!
I've personally used tubes for 20+ years (dynaco, audible illusions, CAT, Cary) with almost no problems. in fact, in some ways, tubes make problem-solving easy, since most issues are just a bad tube, easily diagnosed by switching out tubes. sorry to hear your tale of misery though!