2. tech-talk
  3. 192857-115924

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
invalid
1,214 posts
 

@rar1 Paul has said to replace tubes every year in past videos, in fact Kevin from upscale Audio even made a video opposing what Paul has said.

bassbuyer
191 posts
 

I moved away from tubes years ago and now only solid state.  It’s whatever you prefer for equipment in my opinion.  Anyway, I usually leave my equipment on since it goes into a low power state after a certain period of nonuse.  I do find that turning it off and then back on occasionally is warranted, just like rebooting a computer which a lot of equipment is to some degree now.  

rar1's avatar
rar1
1,787 posts
 

@invalid -

Hi.  I am not looking to be argumentative on a topic that I am not all that interested in, as I turn all hifi equipment off regardless.  All I did was refer back to the video that the OP mentioned, as I had watched the video and remembered it somewhat differently.  Read or re-read some of the comments made on this post ... 

  1. That is a ridiculous statement for him to make!
  2. 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? 
  3. 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.”
  4. Sometimes, I think Paul goes beyond what he 'knows'. He made his name in SS, not tubes.
  5. 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.

I really doubt these folks were referring to past videos by Paul or Kevin Deal or watched the video the OP was referring to.  

It's ok to have differing opinions.  No need to piss on others.

Rich 

 

sls883
477 posts
 

The Mullard M8080 that I ran in my conrad-johnson PV-14L lasted forever. Never replaced them.  I bought multiple pairs as backups because they are hard to find, but never needed them. 

silverfoxvtx1800
199 posts
 

Don’t mean to change the subject but looks like some experts with tubes in here, what’s the best NOS 6SN7 for a nice warm tone you have used?

More to discover