DON:T WAIT! Replace Those Old Power Tubes!


For several years I've cobbled together the required quad of 6L6GC power tubes for my Raven Audio Integrated amp. I say 'cobbled' because out of two sets I culled four which would perform what I perceived as reasonably decent sounding. Being on the last best four I feared one more failing tube would put me out of the music. So, I ordered another quad from Raven Dave (Thomson). At first I thought to just saved them for an emergency but on a whim I decided to just put all the Chinese New Old Stock (NOS) in place. APPARENTLY, and obviously, my smorgasbord set in place previously had various quirks including but not limited to: hum, occasional buzzing, and a bloated`slow tone. My wife immediately stated: I don't hear anything in the background. Indeed there isn't anything but dead silence. NOS tubes are always a "Russian roulette" deal but their unique and amazing "real-ness" is worth the gamble. (IMO) So if you have been waiting until you absolutely have to, DON'T WAIT any longer. The improvement is profound. These tubes are as old as I am! Only difference is I've not been in a box traveling around the world for over 60 years! 

allears4u

Showing 1 response by elliottbnewcombjr

Once you decide to stick with tube equipment, I advise keeping an eye out for a decent tube tester. Knowing their relative strength and testing for shorts, that is way beyond the world of darkness that you live within without any kind of testing ability. 

I check all my tubes routinely twice a year, and have the benefit to check, know their status when I buy them new or used ones I find or friends give me; or whenever any issue pops up, like the imbalance I just traced to a poor connection of a cable that never gave me trouble before.

Today I am changing the connectors to these compact ones, see the video

Tight RCA Connectors, screws, no solder needed