Do new tubes undergo break-in like other devices?


I just put a new pair of Mullard Ecc34 (should be 6sn7s) tubes in the r/l inputs on my BAT VK60. These are the 2 most importants positions for BAT amps.

Part of it sounds wonderful...back of the soundstage, instrument separation, dynamics, articulation in the bass. Oh, and much queiter.

However, I don't think they have as much gain, I have to turn up the volume some on the preamp, and the bass is much lower vs the other parts. Kind of like a new power cord...needs time to open up. I can deal with the gain, not sure about the bass. This may just be a system matching thing, works great for some, not for me.

Is it break-in related?
128x128jfrech

Showing 3 responses by marakanetz

the vast part of break-in process of the new tubes is when you idle them for almost two hours with no input signal. the second and further times you will have to follow the instructions suggested by manufacturer on how long you should worm-up the tubes before you listen. the rest will come with time. i might mistake to say that it's more matter of personal adaptation rather than some physical electronic process takes place, but imho i can't find any other explaination.
everything "opens up" and breaks-in. this crazyness goes onto the tip-toes and other tweaks. man, your stand should also break-in...

listen more more more more to realize he...he...!!!
here is my conclusion...

tubes do not break-in they start to work out their life time just from the moment you turn your amp(s) on. within the time to the end of tube life tubes sound dull and mushy and certainly need to be replaced.

next thing you do is you change tubz and certainly you need some time to adopt to them since they do sound different from your previous setup and certainly brighter. within "n" hours you will get used to it.