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Best Way To Maximize Preamp Tube Life?

I would love to learn how to best maximize tube life. Tubes have a limited lifespan, of course. So when you're not listening for a time, is it best to shut everything off to preserve the "hours" left on the tube's life? OR does the act of powering off/on itself shorten tube length as well? If so, by how much? Something like "powering off/on costs 3 hrs of tube life, so taking a music break of less than 3 hours, better to just leave it powered on." Or 1 hr, or 10 minutes, 6 hours, etc? Where is the tradeoff point?

In my system FYI, I am running a Don Sachs preamp with 4 6SN7s and 1 6BY5 rectifier.  Don says the preamp is only running the tubes at 40% of their rating. I would greatly appreciate some input from people with tube knowledge. Thanks in advance!
sid-hoff-frenchman

Showing 3 responses by ghdprentice

ghdprentice
8,080 posts
 
The more I think about it. The more I think they are such an asset that tube life just should not be a concern. With at least 3,000 hours it’s just not worth worrying about. If your a person that thinks about these things, then replace when it is time.

The fact that tube equipment should not be left on unattended.. pretty well takes care of the longevity issue.
ghdprentice
8,080 posts
 
I have purchased a spare set of tubes for all my components. In the unlikely need to trouble shoot they are there. Also, when the 3,000 hours are up. Sure, they may last longer.
ghdprentice
8,080 posts
 
I have been using tube preamps and phono stages for a couple decades (Audio Research). Now all my equipment is ARC tube. Typically when I head down to listen to listen I turn on my equipment and then go get coffee or wash up or take the dogs out. It takes about 10 - 15 minutes for the equipment to sound great. Most tube life with turning off and on is something like 3,000 hours. That is a very long time. I no longer think about it… even for my amp.

I have had many Pass amps and preamps. They are great, particularly with the XA series amp. But if you really want a compellingly musical and emotionally involving experience tubes by a really great company is the way to go: for me ARC, Conrad Johnson, VAC… etc. 


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