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Replace tubes yearly?

I just watched a Paul McGowan video (PS Audio) about the wisdom of leaving your gear powered on all the time. I get that. He also said that vacuum tube gear is the exception and not to leave it on all the time. I get that too.

But he also mentioned that it didn’t make a huge difference since you probably should replace your tubes every year.

Is that true? I have an Audio Research LS-16 tube preamp from the late 90s or early 2000s. I don’t think the tubes have ever been changed. I’m not really a ’tube’ guy but this unit was given to me 6 or 8 years ago. As far as I know these tubes are original.

At one point I got curious about the different sound quality potential of different tubes and another Audiogon member lent me a set of tubes to try out. I could definitely tell a difference but did not think the new ones sounded better than the original ones. I mention this because at that time the original tubes were quite old and still sounded quite good. And still do.

So, bottom line is, is there any real need to replace tubes on a schedule of some sort. Maybe its different if it is an amp versus a pre-amp?

 

n80
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,247 posts
 

Unless a tube fails in someway, you never have to replace your tubes.  Run them for 30 or even 50 years at a time and they will function.  Now your equipment won't sound it's absolute best as the tubes age, but that's a very subjective observation.

I don't know of any power tubes that will last 30+ years, but for small signal tubes in conservatively designed circuits it shouldn't be that big of a deal.  Again, they won't sound perfect, but I can't do the things I used to do 30 years ago either.

bigtwin's avatar
bigtwin
1,230 posts
 

Aside from tubes, Paul's suggestion to keep your equipment powered up 24/7, is contradicted by many manufacturers.  I know this issue divides members into two camps.  My own amp manufacturer recommends turning off when not in use.  Claims the soft start circuitry protects the equipment and leaving it powered up just shortens life and wastes power.  Not trying to change the direction of the post, just suggesting it don't make it true, just because Paul says so.  IMHO.

oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,964 posts
 

Never keep tube gear powered up.  It's a waste of electricity and dangerous.   Ever see a KT88 go nuclear red plate with arcing and flashing and sparking?  It's scary. 

I've had good luck with tubes over the past 25 years that I've been using them. I try to be proactive about tube replacement. If a tube is noisy or doesn't hold its bias i replace.   But every year ?   No way. 

 

antigrunge2
1,437 posts
 

One can only marvel at the occasional nonsense spouted by the industry greats: small signal tubes especially but even the venerable 300b were designed for >20000 Hours of service. So even if you were stupid enough to keep them permanently powered they‘d exceed a year‘s service.

noromance's avatar
noromance
9,897 posts
 

I like Paul. Knowledgeable. I read his book. Every year? If that’s true, I’m in big trouble!

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