2. amps-preamps
  3. 133505-86238

Preamp tubes ran their life?

I believe I do know the answer, but I would like to hear inputs from the community.

Approximately 1.5 years ago I replaced the stock tubes in my preamp with some vintage Mullard UK ECC83’s.  I spend a fair amount of time listening to music.  I’d say, on average, anywhere between 10-15 hours a week.  For the first year I had them in, I was running my Home Theater with my 2-channel, via HT passthru; which would swing that 10-15 hours/week way up.   I liked the tubes and how they’ve sounded, pretty smooth throughout the band.  Today, I started noticing weird “slurring/distortion” in certain frequencies, especially with vocals and cymbal crashes.  I believe what I’m hearing is the tubes have ran their lifecycle.  Note: I do have room treatment and room/speaker correction and what I’m hearing just started happening this morning.

I won’t hold anyone to their words if it doesn’t end up being the tubes, but that’s my initial hunch.  Would your educated guess be the same?
toddcowles

Showing 2 responses by kennythekey

kennythekey
593 posts
 
The NOS tubes in my phono stage have been sounding great for nine years now, so if it is your Mullards that seems short lived or a defect. Are the Mullards supposed to be NOS? Is it coming from both channels? Both tubes, both channels, same time, does not sound right. If one channel then switch the tubes and see if your distortion has moved.
Kenny
kennythekey
593 posts
 
The control pots from the old days (I.e., Dynaco, Eico, etc.) were known to get dusty and make noise. Yup, you had to spray them. I would not think your Mac would have that problem, but I'm not familiar with it. If you move the volume control back and forth do you hear a static like cracking?
Kenny
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