2. amps-preamps
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If tube amp is left on, but not playing........

If a tube amp is left on , but not playing, is the tube still wearing out? If you think of the tube as a valve, and no electrons are moving through it, it would seem that there is little to no wear on the tube. This is a significant question for me, I am considering a SET for a system that will be used by my family. My wife has never shut off a light in her lifetime, and will not turn off the amp when not in use. (Those of you who respond with suggestions on how to change my wife's behavior have never been married!!) thank you......Mark
mythtrip

Showing 2 responses by ghostrider45

ghostrider45
449 posts
 
An SET runs Class A (by definition!), and tubes in Class A designs pass plate current equal to rated power output at idle, so you should expect a significant impact on tube life.

What you want is a tube amp with the option to turn off just the B+ voltage, leaving the filaments on.

In my experience wives are not trainable....
ghostrider45
449 posts
 
To Herman:

I hold an Amateur Radio license (though inactive now), and back in the late 60's early 70's just about all amateur gear was tube. The bigest cause of tube failure was considered to be thermal cycling caused by turn on/turn off cycles. Many hams kept filament voltage on to keep the temparature stabilized and just turned on B+ for operation. It seemed to work.
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