thebes Posted January 22, 2005 Share Posted January 22, 2005 The following statements are from the Conrad Johnson FAQ at their website: "Q. Why do different brands of tubes of the same type sound different? A. Each manufacturer may use slightly different internal materials when constructing the tube. This is because there is no industry standard for internal materials. The only standards apply to fairly broad electrical specifications. At conrad-johnson we spend countless hours evaluating various vacuum tubes for each product. The tubes are selected based on sound quality and reliability. We know of no currently available tubes that are reliable and will improve the sound quality of your conrad-johnson component. All tubes that we supply are then tested in circuit for performance to our specifications. For consistent results, we recommend that you purchase tubes supplied by conrad-johnson. Q. How long do tubes last? A. That varies depending on the type of tube, the number of hours of use and the type of use they have had. Typically tubes should last, on average, about 1500 hours before gradual degradation of performance becomes noticeable. This translates into two to three years if the unit is turned off when not in use. Usually tubes will continue to be functional for a long while after this, but sound quality will be reduced and noise levels will increase. In power amplifiers, the input tubes are most critical for sonic performance. If output tubes are not causing problems, they can be replaced every other time." First, without getting into tube rolling, does using the factory specified branded tubes (not tube types) really make the amp or pre sound like it is supposed to or is this just marketing? Second, I always thought that tubes pretty much sound the same throughout their life so there is no reason to chagne them out unless they are worn out, leaky or measure low. They seem to say change them out roughly every three years for best sound. Thoughts? Third, I thought the output tubes were the important ones (and usually the most expensive ones tubes) yet they seem to be saying that the usually cheaper to buy input tubes are the most important ones and should be changed out more often. Thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted January 22, 2005 Share Posted January 22, 2005 Just about everything in there is marketing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
analogman Posted January 22, 2005 Share Posted January 22, 2005 ---------------- On 1/22/2005 6:24:41 PM NOSValves wrote: Just about everything in there is marketing. ---------------- Scare them into giving us more money by perpetuating the MYTH "dealership mechanics" are the BEST, "why they're factory trained dear"! Analogman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebes Posted January 22, 2005 Author Share Posted January 22, 2005 So the sonic qualities of tube amps don't deteriorate over time and output tubes are more important than input tubes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
analogman Posted January 22, 2005 Share Posted January 22, 2005 ---------------- On 1/22/2005 7:42:03 PM thebes wrote: So the sonic qualities of tube amps don't deteriorate over time and output tubes are more important than input tubes? ---------------- Part 1: No, the sonics WILL deteriorate over time, everything wears out eventually Part 2: The chain is only as strong as it's weakest link Say hello to the Twins, Analogman 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.