It's Time To Change ARC SP-11 Tubes When.....

Well, your tubes should last approx. 2,000 hours.

2,000 devided by 24 = 83 days.......

Kinda costly if you ask me..............

OOPS......... Wasn't thinking correct (or spelling correctly). Pre's have an average 5,000 hours, not 2,000.... so...... 5000 divided by 35 = 208 days, or 7 months......

Sorry about that.

I recall from the reviews in TAS and Stereophile that ARC felt if you left the unit on all the time it would sound best, but you'd need to replace the tubes every 9 months or so. It's possible using better quality tubes might extend that life. Tough to tell when they're gone, because the sound deteriorates gradually so you don't notice the difference as readily, but in my case my system started to sound a little lifeless, lacking dynamic punch and clarity. There will definitely be more noise as well as the tubes start to go. And watch out for pops and sputtering!

When I owned my sp11 ( for 4 years ) I put them on in the morning upon getting up. Shutting down at bedtime. No need to leave them on any longer.I got about 1-/2 -2 years before changing....