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Does tube testers tell how much life is left for tubes?

Let's say that you have new tubes, very old tubes that are almost to die, and something in the middle.
What kinds of reading do you expect from these three kinds?
Can you usually tell the life of tubes from tube testers?
How about the color? Do those three kinds of tubes have different colors when they were turned on?
I would like to know when to change tubes before it gets too late.
Some says if it sounds good, don't bother to change. 
Some brands of power/pre amps consume more on tubes than other brands and their life seems varies brand by brand. 
128x128ihcho

Showing 2 responses by ihcho

ihcho's avatar
ihcho OP
609 posts
 
Thanks for the info (even to MC).
I have two tube testers. One from Knight and one from Superior Instrument. Both is I guess made in late 50s or early 60s. They don’t have transconductance readings. They tell whether tubes are good or bad, but they don’t tell how much life is left.
If in doubt, I would just purchase new tubes to be safe.
The new (old) preamp I just bought (A.I. M3B) is recommended to have tubes replaced every two years. Yikes!

ihcho's avatar
ihcho OP
609 posts
 
I've just came up with an idea how to deal with when to change tubes. Always have spare tube sets ready. Then, if suspicious, change the tubes. If it sounds much better after the change, keep the change. If the difference is subtle, put the old tubes back and keep listening until feeling suspicious again.
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