How to tell if the tube needs replacement?


Hi
I don't have any experience with tubes but my CAL Alpha has 2 12ax7's in it's output stage.What to look for in the sound when the tube is going?As you know some days even the best systems sound bad.Thank you.
overhang

Showing 1 response by newbee

My experience with Cal Alpha is the the sound will become dullish - you will expereince some HF roll off and lose some of the sense of spaciousness/air. Keep a spare pair of tubes around and plug them in when you feel this is occuring - if nothing changes then it was your mood, but if it brightens up (in the best sense) you needed new tubes.