What do you see as the downside of tubes?


I have decided on getting a tube amp and it will be the integrated Mastersound 300B driving a pair of Living Voice Avatars, so at least that decision has been taken.

My main question is what you see as downsides of having a tube amp. As I've decided on getting an integrated tube it's really about what the downsides are I might want to know about beforehand.

The ones I'm aware are the following.

-The tubes need to be replaced and in the case of a 300B this will be somewhat costly.

-Bias is another issue but I'm not sure how big an issue. Do you plug in your meter every so often or just when you roll tubes or replace a dead one? The meter as such isn't gonna be a big issue as I don't think it's that expensive.

-Heat won't be a big issue as we have no kids nor a nosy dog that could get burned. Hope my electricity bill isn't gonna go through the roof, but then again, I can't quite imagine that.

I'd appreciate if you could add whatever your experiences are regarding this question are as I'd like to know more before I buy it.

Thanks
krauti

Showing 5 responses by johnk

Most lower watt SETs are not hot running. Room warmer far from it. Runs about as hot as any large class ab or class a SS amp.
300b tubes are readily available as are all the other tubes mastersound uses. These tubes are all in current production. So many choices in new tubes plus if you want to roll tubes lots of vintage choices.
The only time I had a tube amp damage a driver in loudspeakers was from a cheap poorly built dared amp that had parts shift in case work. Have had tubes fail never had 1 damage any amps or loudspeakers. Mostly you hear noise and slightly more distortion that lets you know its time to check or change out tubes. Realy not a issue. 300b available from $150 pair up. The mastersound can be retubed from about $250 up. I have had solid state amps damage loudspeakers when they have had problems this is not just a issue for tube amps.
Not good to run tube amps 24 hours. Unless you like replacing tubes. Most all tube amp warm up fast. Uli Many of these posts refer to large power tube amps these run very hot the se300b a SET amp does not it will not heat up room will not require extra AC.
Tholt, The mastersound amp he was thinking of buying was mine. And no he couldnt get enough cash up. Times are hard for many it seems. No worries though I love the se300b and its running as I type in my office system.