Atmaspere is definitely more knowledgeable on this than me but I have read consistently that when putting new tubes in one should check them every ten minutes for about the first half hour to see if there is any drift or change in the reading and then adjust them accordingly. It is not unusual for tubes to read higher initially and then go down or change from first being put into the system. My only question for you is did you recheck them after they had been in awhile?
Tube biasing question please
Back into tubes after a few years here is my question hoping someone can help:
My integrated amplifier uses KT-88 tubes, and manufacturer's recommended biasing level is 450 mv, and this is where I maintain the reading on my multimeter. So, my current tubes (let's call them set ''A'') are biased according to man specs.
Now, I came accros a set of spare tubes (set ''B'') I had been keeping for a few years, I had forgotten all about them.
Upon insertion in my amp, NOW the reading says (with no adjustments) 780 to 800 mv each instead of the previous 450 mv on my set ''A'' current tubes.
It was of course a cinch to adjust set ''B'' from 780mv to the recommended 450mv with a turn of the biasing screw.
MY QUESTION IS THIS: What does this say about the condition and life left in both sets? Should I assume that one of set is strong while the other is weak? Which set is ''newer'' from a standpoint of hours used?
I would like to avoid the sonic issues (how they sound) just interested in knowing which tubes has more life left in them.
Both sets are Svetlana winged ''C''.
Thanks if you can help !
My integrated amplifier uses KT-88 tubes, and manufacturer's recommended biasing level is 450 mv, and this is where I maintain the reading on my multimeter. So, my current tubes (let's call them set ''A'') are biased according to man specs.
Now, I came accros a set of spare tubes (set ''B'') I had been keeping for a few years, I had forgotten all about them.
Upon insertion in my amp, NOW the reading says (with no adjustments) 780 to 800 mv each instead of the previous 450 mv on my set ''A'' current tubes.
It was of course a cinch to adjust set ''B'' from 780mv to the recommended 450mv with a turn of the biasing screw.
MY QUESTION IS THIS: What does this say about the condition and life left in both sets? Should I assume that one of set is strong while the other is weak? Which set is ''newer'' from a standpoint of hours used?
I would like to avoid the sonic issues (how they sound) just interested in knowing which tubes has more life left in them.
Both sets are Svetlana winged ''C''.
Thanks if you can help !