"tuned for optimal effect to generate rich harmonics " makes me nervous. Sounds a long way from the theoretical straight wire with gain.
I absolutely agree Tmax, and demonstrates to me how little these and other so called "giants" of design and manufacturing understand audio.
By the way, the JJ E88cc in my designs produce distortion approximately 78db down, with no feedback, 2 vrms output. And what is produced is low order.
Besides that, the JJs E88cc in my circuit lasts 28,000 hours from minimal accounts emailed to me.
Yes, it uses a whopping, astronomical, colossal, enormous, galactic, gargantuan, immense 1.6 watts of power per section, counting filament dissipation. A major greenhouse producer for sure.
IMO, the "Peter Principle" sure seems to apply to the "giants".
Cheers
Steve