xxJPMxx Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 (edited) What is the longevity of the tubes in your current tube equipment? For instance....You put brand new tubes in your equipment January 1st 2012. Are they still working? If not when did you replace them? How long is a piece of string? It really depends on a whole bunch of variables. But in general the small signal triodes (6SN7, 12AX7, 6DJ8) can last a long time but as they age the transconductance will drop off giving you less gain. So what happens is you actually don't notice your equipment not performing at it's peak. Power tubes (6550, EL34, 6L6) depending on operating conditions can and usually do have a much shorter life compared to the small signal triodes. Edited October 16, 2015 by xxJPMxx 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyOwn Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 What is the longevity of the tubes in your current tube equipment? For instance....You put brand new tubes in your equipment January 1st 2012. Are they still working? If not when did you replace them? How long is a piece of string? It really depends on a whole bunch of variables. But in general the small signal triodes (6SN7, 12AX7, 6DJ8) can last a long time but as they age the transconductance will drop off giving you less gain. So what happens is you actually don't notice your equipment not performing at it's peak. Power tubes (6550, EL34, 6L6) depending on operating conditions can and usually do have a much shorter life compared to the small signal triodes. I get what you are saying...The variables are astronomical....To try and keep this on topic.... Your current tube setup..... How often you turn it on..... How loud...."my preamp rarely sees past 10 oClock".... How often do you replace tubes? In years, Months? What cost to replcace? Im not by any means bashing tubes "I Love them" the sound is phenomenal.... I'm still listening to this crappy Crown XLS1500..... I'm confidant the Crown would be a perfect match for Sub's.... I'm just trying to establish a cost perspective based on true data "your input" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xxJPMxx Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 Your current tube setup..... The one I am listening to right now as I type is a Single ended amp good for about 5 watts in pentode and 2 in triode. It has four 5670's and two 6L6's. How often you turn it on.... This one runs almost all day everyday. How loud... From 1/4 to 3/4 but most of the time halfway. How often do you replace tubes? I haven't yet and this amp is 5 year old. What cost to replcace? It all depends. For me I got a bunch of NOS RCA blackplate 6L6GB's for fixing a guys guitar amp. So a couple hours labor. Usually current production 6L6's are $10-$20. The 5670's I got two sleeves (10 tubes) for $20 so that's $2 a tube. They are JAN GE's. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minermark Posted October 18, 2015 Share Posted October 18, 2015 Roger Modjeski commented yesterday at the Burning Amp Festival that he has an amplifier that is 30 years old that gets played every day with the same original tubes. He say tube life is determined on how the circuit is designed. Actually he goes into a lot more technical discussion on why but it appears the circuit design determines how long the tubes will last. Some designs will need tubes replaced every year and some will last many years. Great Circuit designs have been around for years, China has most dialed in, they invent nothing, they are now masters at not only copying, but improve Amp components when and where they can. These were purchased over five years ago, KT88 based and still running, the wifes mono blocks get pushed just as hard as my two channel rig, original tubes throughout and still going. These are from my guy on the Bay, "PrimeAmp" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolfbane Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 Roger Modjeski commented yesterday at the Burning Amp Festival that he has an amplifier that is 30 years old that gets played every day with the same original tubes. He say tube life is determined on how the circuit is designed. Actually he goes into a lot more technical discussion on why but it appears the circuit design determines how long the tubes will last. Some designs will need tubes replaced every year and some will last many years. Great Circuit designs have been around for years, China has most dialed in, they invent nothing, they are now masters at not only copying, but improve Amp components when and where they can. These were purchased over five years ago, KT88 based and still running, the wifes mono blocks get pushed just as hard as my two channel rig, original tubes throughout and still going. These are from my guy on the Bay, "PrimeAmp" China invents nothing? Off the top of my head: Paper Printing Gunpowder The Compass Clock (i.e. not sundial) Bronze Iron Smelting Tea Silk Alcohol Porcelain Rockets They were inventing stuff while people in Europe were still wearing fur loincloth's and killing each other with sharpened sticks. Never under estimate your opponent! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minermark Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 (edited) Roger Modjeski commented yesterday at the Burning Amp Festival that he has an amplifier that is 30 years old that gets played every day with the same original tubes. He say tube life is determined on how the circuit is designed. Actually he goes into a lot more technical discussion on why but it appears the circuit design determines how long the tubes will last. Some designs will need tubes replaced every year and some will last many years. Great Circuit designs have been around for years, China has most dialed in, they invent nothing, they are now masters at not only copying, but improve Amp components when and where they can. These were purchased over five years ago, KT88 based and still running, the wifes mono blocks get pushed just as hard as my two channel rig, original tubes throughout and still going. These are from my guy on the Bay, "PrimeAmp" China invents nothing? Off the top of my head: Paper Printing Gunpowder The Compass Clock (i.e. not sundial) Bronze Iron Smelting Tea Silk Alcohol Porcelain Rockets They were inventing stuff while people in Europe were still wearing fur loincloth's and killing each other with sharpened sticks. Never under estimate your opponent! Klipsch is an Audio Forum Thread in forum ask, "Tube longevity- a real concern? "the circuit design determines how long the tubes will last". My statment was directed at that quote. China copys great Amps, known sellers, that is what they do. Out of respect for the OP, i do try to anser and stay on topic. Audio. Edited October 19, 2015 by minermark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike stehr Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 Roger Modjeski commented yesterday at the Burning Amp Festival that he has an amplifier that is 30 years old that gets played every day with the same original tubes. He say tube life is determined on how the circuit is designed. Actually he goes into a lot more technical discussion on why but it appears the circuit design determines how long the tubes will last. Some designs will need tubes replaced every year and some will last many years. Yeah. Back in the day when tubes were a dime a dozen, some circuits were designed with tubes operated at maximum ratings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Morbius Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 Minermark. beautiful amps you have there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.