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AUDIO FORUMS >> General Discussion and Support >> Tube Life zrock2
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Message started by tharnell on 10/14/25 at 18:14:53

Title: Tube Life zrock2
Post by tharnell on 10/14/25 at 18:14:53

Hello All

I have a question about tube life. I just bought a zrock2 with the original tube is in it unit and it was made in 2017. I know the owner did some tube rolling so it may not have been in the zrock2 the entire time. So, my question is if the tube has a life of let's say 5000 hours and the zrock2 is on all the time 24/7 is that the time counted on the tube or only when you are playing music? Sorry newbie here so please let me know. And BTW the zrock2 is AMAZING!!!!! I feel like I have all new CDs to listen to.
Thanks

Title: Re: Tube Life zrock2
Post by mrchipster on 10/14/25 at 20:18:27

Hey there tharnell, welcome!

I have a Zrock2 as well and my understanding is that the Zrock runs the tube at a lower voltage which increases tube life and allows it to stay on 24/7 with ease.
For amps/pre's and such, you are correct, if you keep track of hours, you can add them up and have a good ballpark as to when the tube is getting tired based on the original tube specs. However, tubes can fail at any time, new or old so beware.

My advice would be since you really should have a backup tube for the Zrock (and any other tube gear really), get another one regardless. If it's truly from 2017 then it probably could use to get refreshed. If it's newer, put your brand new one in and see if it makes a difference. If not, put it back in the box and you'll have a spare for down the road. You may even want to get a couple of different brands and see if one or the other has more synergy with your system if you're so inclined.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

Title: Re: Tube Life zrock2
Post by Lon on 10/14/25 at 23:10:40

I agree with Mr. Chipster 100 percent.

In my system the tube that is in the ZROCK3 influences the whole system, and in particular is very sympatico with the input tube on my SEWE300B. Over the last years I have played around a lot with 12AU7 types in my ZROCK2s and ZROCK3 and there is ONE tube that has a particular magic and I have had it for years and it still has lots of life--the ZROCKs don't stress tubes out.