1st as carefully as possible. Try not to rock em back and forth. Just up and down if you can. If they are a 6sn7 or something with a base, sure, that will help. Most are all glass. I usally use a cloth. Also, clean the pins and sockets with a good contact cleaner like Kontak.
Good luck! The less handling the better. Don't turn them on and off to much. Ie...if you are listening for a bit, then going away for a few hours, then listening again, I'd leave them on. I usually leave everything powered up all weekend, then on and off during the week...this is subject to differing opinions...
Good luck! The less handling the better. Don't turn them on and off to much. Ie...if you are listening for a bit, then going away for a few hours, then listening again, I'd leave them on. I usually leave everything powered up all weekend, then on and off during the week...this is subject to differing opinions...