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Strategies for preserving tube life

I have a First Sound tube line stage with expensive (and glorious sounding ) Siemens Gold Pin 7308 tubes. I want them to last. My question is, what are the tradeoffs between wearing out the tubes by leaving the pre-amp on vs. stressing them out by powering up and down too often. So, for example, I power down when I leave town for two days. Should I also power down when I leave the house for 4 hours? Or when I go to bed at night? -Dan
drubin

Showing 1 response by tmcroy

tmcroy
25 posts
 
My suggestion is to get some Pearl tube coolers and fit them. Not only have I found that they make the tubes last much longer (I don't know how long, all my small signal tubes are still ok after several years use - I switch my amps off at night), but they seem to help microphonics as well.
Only downside is that you see less of that lovely tube glow, but there is no free lunch!
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