Leaving tube amps on.
This is a question I had for a long time. I know it’s not a good idea to leave tube amps on all the time because of tube life and safety reasons. But sometimes I don’t have the opportunity to listen to my system / music for hours at time at one sitting. Sometimes I can only listen to it 45 min - a few hours at a time during the day / night. So my question is would it be better to leave the amps on all day / evening and listen when I can or turn them on / off every time I listen even if is only 45 min at a clip. But to just clarify when I don’t intend to listen that day/ night they will be off. Does turning the amps on / off throughout the day / night do more harm than leaving them on ? Tube life , wear and tear on amps etc. btw I have the Audio Research Ref 750s. Ea amp has 18 KT150 , 6550WE , 6H30.
If high power tube amplifiers are as hazardous as outlined in several post above, then how come they are not banned in the state of California? Worrying about tube seems a little strange. You knowingly purchased and expensive amplifier with a large number of tubes. Do people who buy exotic Italian supercars worry about the cost of an oil change? |
I was first introduced to Valve Equipment in the early/mid' 90's and was quick to move over to the schematics using Valves in place of Transistors and Semi Conductors. I had my first Valve Amp' Pre and Power commission built, and the EE who at this time had a good few years of working with Valves to produce Audio and Studio Equipment gave me as a newbie a clear warning. Valve Equipment is not a Turn On and Forget device. Valves in use need monitoring during use and after Power Off. I have kept to my side of the Bargain for the best part of 30 Years and see no need to make a change. The same EE remains a friend and has produced further Power Amp commission builds for me. Red Plate is common on a Output Valve and is a result of incorrect Bias, where increased Voltage is enabled. Everything in Valve Talk is about reliability, maintained Bias is extremely important. |
@pindac Thank you for clarity on Red plate. I was just gonna ask how important tube bias is and what can happen if not biased. |
