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Audio Research REF3 tube question clarification


Audio Research REF3 kindly clarify.

Do the 5 Sovtek 6H30PI tubes have to be all matched to get the best sonic performance?

What do the 5 tubes actually control?

Hours on tubes, when should they be changed to get the BEST sonic performance as there seems to be different opinions.

Sovtek 5 tubes, some say change them up to 1600-1800 hours but other sugest 3000 hours, which is it?

Winged "C" (SED) 6550C tube, some say change up to 800 hours but others sugest 3000 hours, which is it?
128x128dev
nemal1
3 posts
 
Pre-amp tubes should last between 3-5000 hours dependant upon how hard you drive your Ref.3

Same comment for the power supply tube.

Matching is not necessary, but buy the lowest noise you can. I use RAM tubes in my own (from brand new, the suppied set are still in their foam).

Hope this helps a bit, but you will tend to hear if there is something wrong.

Regards
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
4,982 posts
 
The 6H30 "Supertube" is a little different from your ordinary tube. These were designed for the Russian Military for extreme use at up to 10,000 hours. I provided a link below to comments made by Viktor from BAT.

The 6550 is a power tube and thus typically runs hotter and doesn't last as long. These probably will last 1000-1500 hours.

http://db.audioasylum.com/cgi/m.mpl?forum=tubes&n=218137&highlight=6h30
dev's avatar
dev OP
832 posts
 
thks for the info., thats even more hours.

My understanding is that 2 of 6H30PI tubes are per channel and the one left over is partial for power supply is this correct?

If 2 per channel would it not be important to have a matched pair for each channel?

Are there any differences between the 6H30PI tube sonically? for example the date made much of a difference sonically?

Difference between the ARC tubes or purchasing from a reputable tube dealer?
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