Can you do anything to make power tubes last longer ?


Besides using them less.

inna

Showing 1 response by oddiofyl

I make my tubes last longer by turning my second system on.  I'm fortunate to have a solid state system that I use 75 % of the time.   I have always been told turning amps on for short periods then off is bad for tubes. 

I do bias right at or a little shy of amp mfg specs.   I don't think it's good to under bias either so if it says 53 ma that's where I usually put it.  I use this

https://www.vhtamp.com/avtttt2

Great way to know where you are at.   

For me my best bet is to buy matched quads or pairs depending on application from a trusted seller.   I seem to have much better luck and durability 

Some tubes just last long , some don't.   I have a quad of Gold Lion KT88 that I keep as a spare.  They have a ridiculous amount of hours.   They look nasty, getter is fading , silkscreen is gone.   They test strong still, not far from min new and still sound good.    

On the other hand I had a quad of new Mullard el34.   Did not have then matched / tested and within a month I had one burn up.   

So to answer the question, not much you can do but enjoy and not leave em powered up when you're not listening