2. amps-preamps
  3. 180665-178160

Audio Research - should I replace the valves?

I have a AR Ref 110 power amp and AR Ref 3 preamp. Both have done about 3,800 hours. They both work but I wonder if should be replacing the valves.

How can you tell if they’ve had it? Does the sound quality deteriorate & what happens if you don’t replace them?

i don’t think they sounds as good as they did but no pops or whistles or any other strange noises etc - just a bit flat sounding. But perhaps this is just my ears?

 

pp

willmarchant

Showing 1 response by petg60

petg60
1,486 posts
 

i don’t think they sounds as good as they did but no pops or whistles or any other strange noises etc - just a bit flat sounding.

This is a good cause to replace. Problem with too many tubes is you cannot tell for sure which one or ones reached end of life.

Normally power tubes wear out faster, a starting point to order a new set from ARC, with preamp ones to follow.

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