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AUDIO FORUMS >> General Discussion and Support >> Aging output tubes. . . .
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Message started by Lon on 07/08/20 at 13:57:49

Title: Aging output tubes. . . .
Post by Lon on 07/08/20 at 13:57:49

Aging output tubes. . . not a great thing like aging spirits can be!

Almost any time that I have output tubes and start thinking it's time for new tubes I start tinkering and tuning and I get over the idea that the tubes need replacing. I compensate and get great sounds for a while. Then I tend to rinse and repeat.

But when the notion hits me again, the third time, I usually substitute new tubes. . . and wish I had done it sooner!

There definitely is a zenith point with the tubes where they are sounding unreally good, being all they can be, and then there's a decline in sound quality or at least 100 percent effectiveness of the tube itself doing its job. I really need to pay attention to earlier warning signs and just replace tubes--I tend to keep them about 1.5 times longer than I should, which for my useage of the EP15P tubes should be about a year.

Today new tubes from Steve have just about settled in and the sound is transporting! I really love these tubes that Steve tests and matches with such attention. I have other versions of these tubes that just don't quite sound as dynamic or open. I think in this output type the bass mellows in a way I like, but the high frequency especially and the mid-range in a lesser way become less accurate and pleasing. Note to self: new tubes are a great thing, don't postpone that plateau.

Title: Re: Aging output tubes. . . .
Post by will on 07/08/20 at 17:48:50

Me too Lon. Good post!

It is too easy for me also to look everywhere but the power tubes (or inputs) in that phase before obvious distortions and after the tubes are optimal. I guess the very gradual nature of sonic degradation tricks us, but it should be pretty obvious if we could just remember that the sound getting less dynamic, a little fuzzier, etc. is often tubes. Hopefully writing this down will trigger something in my/our minds to look at tubes first!

;)

Thanks,

Will

Title: Re: Aging output tubes. . . .
Post by Greg C on 07/08/20 at 17:51:44

.....thanks Lon ....I will start looking and order some new ones ... It will be a year in a few months and I will have some on hand...give Sarah a call and have her add them to my order that will be ready to ship in a few weeks.

Thanks again
Greg

Title: Re: Aging output tubes. . . .
Post by CAJames on 07/09/20 at 01:29:01

Good post Lon. I've been interested in getting an SET amp for a long long time. But buying e.g. 300B tubes is a pretty big deal and that is has put me off for decades. The thing that sold me on the UFO amps is exactly that 6P15 tubes are so inexpensive you can afford to change the tubes first and ask questions later. And that's for Steve's lovingly hand selected tubes. If you're will to go it alone and pick the tubes yourself you they are dirt cheap.

Of course tube testing isn't for everyone, but to me that is part of the fun of owning a tube amp. Just like all the work you have to do to play an LP vs. a CD or a FLAC.

Title: Re: Aging output tubes. . . .
Post by Rivieraranch on 07/09/20 at 13:29:51

I definitely recall the '15P's I had in the Zen at my office system. I found I was turning up the volume more and more looking for that dynamic sound, which was fading. I recall when I replaced the outputs everything changed for the better.

Title: Re: Aging output tubes. . . .
Post by Radarek on 07/09/20 at 20:48:32

Hey... rookie has a question... so what is the absolutely minimum I should get from tubes??? 6p15p is what I have installed now. I do around 3 hours at low volume play a day on average...

Thanks

Title: Re: Aging output tubes. . . .
Post by spyder1 on 07/10/20 at 03:25:30

Has anyone tried 6P15P-ER vacuum tubes? They are considered a "Durable" version of 6P15P-EV. 6P15P-ER are rated as a 10,000hr tube!

Title: Re: Aging output tubes. . . .
Post by perraanalkx on 07/27/20 at 05:58:40

I guess the very gradual nature of sonic degradation tricks us, but it should be pretty obvious if we could just remember that the sound getting less dynamic, a little fuzzier, etc.