This thread really needs to come with a warning pinned at the top!
I made the mistake of reading through all 10 pages recently. This was quickly followed by me bugging a couple of members by PM to make sure I was on the right path. Big thanks to GroovySauce for all of the excellent details on this intriguing piece of gear. And to Kamran for getting it started. How do you not already have one? I don’t know how you manage such restraint.

I was looking for something to bring fuller, richer sound to my system and perhaps allow me to ditch the subwoofer, if it could bring pleasing enough bass. I’d considered other options as well, but was never ready to pull the trigger. Reading through all of the great information provided by forum members here and the hugely glowing reviews, it seems like this will really fit my wants very well. The option to use the jumbo tubes to impart their sound into my system, was very appealing.
So this morning I completed my order for the STR-1002-Super. Going with the solid oak in black as a few of you have done and getting the stock 805a to start. Looking forward to joining the group of STR “Illuminati” here!

I’ll be going through the thread again, with an eye to what tubes people are using. I’m intending to stick with the standard tube choices. With having pet’s and wanting to keep things simple, I’m not planning to use mercury vapor tubes, but will be interested in learning more of the tube choices. Tony, I’m looking forward to your impressions once you go back to trying the 211, 805a and 845 tubes you have, in comparison to the mercury vapor tubes and others you really like. I know you’d been using the Linlai 845DG, which really looks appealing to me and others have remarked positively about.
Now the wait begins!…