Can you have too many tubes?

I was 100% tubes, up in the 30's.
I just could not keep up with the paranoia of problem tubes.
You certainly need a tester, or access to one if you go with many tubes...Or live near Alberporter..which I actually think I do.

I am now down to an Art Audio Jota SET amp, 6 tubes, and Tom Evans pre and phono pre gear. The Evans is dead quiet and the Art Audio is liquid.

I feel in balance.
For the time being.

Albert,though I do love the sound of a well thought out tube based system(no denying the stunning timbres),and would not,myself,rule out adding more tube equipment in the future,I find it a tough road,ergonomically,during summer.Even with A/C,in my dedicated room,if I had more tubes,the A/C units would run quite a bit more than now.Costly,with today's energy prices.My NY/NJ based tube loving pals have almost completely stopped listening in summer,and that was one reason I went to my Rowland amp,as opposed to the big mono block tubies,I had previously owned.The sound is, actually, amazingly tube like(though that is,to me,a dumb generalization,as the sound is either "right" or not "right")!

I'm not trying to be dismissive of tubes,or a fine set-up,as you seem to have.I would appreciate any feedback you may be able to give me,as to how you deal with the heat issue,during the hotter time of the year.Unless sitting in a colorful "Speedo" is the only alternative,I may very well be adding more tube based equipment down the road.Even with the sudden "discovery" by JV,and HP(next issue of TAS)that "suddenly"(MBL amps,and the new "solid state" HP favorite,to be revealed soon)there are alternative choices,I find a well matched tube system to simply put,"have magic"!But I still would rather find a midway point,which I think I now have,that allows for the "sound" and not wearing my bathing suit during the Holiday Season.Man,this hobby can be frustrating.

Best regards!!

PS How's the tube crossover doing?

....that must be audio heaven on earth! I heard those Dalis at the CES...I would put them in the coveted "state of the art" category...with tubes. I was mesmerized. Heard them the next year, with SS...ugh! I couldn't believe that it was the same speaker.

BTW, could you please list the number of tubes per piece of gear? Just curious....thanks!

Aestheitx Io (main) (6) 12AX7, (2) 6922, (2) 5692 =10 tubes
Aesthetix Callisto (4) 6922, (2) 5692 = 6 tubes
Dual power supplies for each, (6) 12AX7, (2) EL34 (each) =32 tubes

Custom crossover for Dali (4) 12SX7, (2) 12J5, (2) 6HM6= 8 tubes
Outboard power supply for Dali crossover (1) 6X5 = 1 tubes

Air Tight (6) EL34, (1) 12AX7, (1) 12AU7 (X 2 mono's) = 16 tubes
VTL 750 (12) 6550, (1) 12AT7, (2) 6350 (X 2 mono's) = 30 tubes

Scott Nixon DAC (1) 6922 = 1 tube

Ampex 351 (14) =14 tubes

Only 118 tubes Fatparrot......Squawk !

Albert, in the dark your equipment rack must look like a beautifull Christmas tree. Bless you, Christmas all year round, complete with singing angels.

Can you have too many tubes? No. More tubes is more better.