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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
oberoniaomnia
96 posts
 

@n80 yes, tube rolling = trying different types of tubes. Sorry for using lingo without explaining it.

I have done some TR, particularly with a Woo WA6SE headphone amp. The stock power tube was not the best. Splurged on a WE422 based on recommendation in Headfi, and that sounded quite a bit better. I tried some other, more reasonable priced ones as well, and not much difference, IMHO. Those are now my back-ups. Haven't bothered checking the WE422 vs. back-up in about 5 years. The amp did not get too much use, but that has changed more recently.

Also tried about 4 sets of signal tubes. Differences were more subtle, but they were there. I have not yet done any TR on my PrimaLuna EVO300pre. Maybe when I have nothing else to do ...

I don't have those special golden ears either, but I do hear differences in tubes.

n80 OP
2,133 posts
 

Thanks @oberoniaomnia 

I was glad that I was able to hear the difference between tubes but disappointed that I didn't find the pricier replacement ones to sound a lot better. I do not even remember which tube I tried and I don't know what is in there now but I think they are Electro-Harmonix 6922.

The LS-16 unfortunately has 4 tubes which would make rolling more expensive. The E-H 6922s are cheap.

The manual says the original tubes are 6922/E88CC tubes and should last 4000 hours. Since I was given this preamp after years of use I cannot even guess how many hours these have on them.

larryi
4,098 posts
 

So, a maker of solid state gear, and only solid state gear, states that if you buy tube gear, you have to make yearly tube replacement.  Does anyone think it is a scare tactic?  What if I say something completely unsupported like, “you shouldn’t worry about your PS Audio amp catching on fire, that is what insurance is for.”

wturkey's avatar
wturkey
800 posts
 

“So, a maker of solid state gear, and only solid state gear, states that if you buy tube gear, you have to make yearly tube replacement.”


The PS Audio BHK line has input signal tubes in the circuits. 
 

Preamps and amps. 

larryi
4,098 posts
 

That they have input tubes that require yearly replacement should be a good reason NOT to buy that gear.  Clearly, they don’t know how to implement tubes in their design.

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