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Tired of Problems with Tube Equipment

I switched over to tube audio equipment in some form some years back, and have certainly enjoyed music played back through them. I have had amps, preamps, and DACS at different times utilizing tubes. One unfortunate thing that's been common to all the tube equipment I've had are problems. It doesn't seem to matter whether the manufacturer is large or small, built in the USA or overseas, they all have had problems. Capacitors blowing out, bad solder joints, tubes only lasting a short time, loud pops that mysteriously go away on their own, etc. Although I have enjoyed the sound (and that beautiful glow!), I am starting to get tired of this and thinking of going back to solid state.

Have any of you also gone back (or thought about it) to solid state for this reason? What has your experience been with the reliability of tube equipment?
smeyers
tvad
9,467 posts
 
A couple of years ago, I bought new (demo) speakers that I thought were tube friendly. This was based on several reviews I had read, and on comments from some audio friends.

Turned out the speakers were not tube friendly to the degree I wanted.

Still, I like the speakers, so I ended up buying Class A solid state amplification that matches well with the speakers.

Having said that, if I had to do it all over again, I'd buy tube friendly speakers (knowing much more now about this issue than I did two years ago), and I'd drive them with tube amps. I still might use a solid state preamp, though. Not certain...

This whole adventure is a learning experience, isn't it?
avguygeorge
2,300 posts
 
Well like many threads;this can have a life of its own.
So, I can just post my own thoughts for comparison. I have had at least 10 tube class a,a/b amps. Two of these being CJ brand, the 5's and 8's. My 5's blew about 25 fuses in 4 years (bias resistor fuses) The 8's not so many but similar problem. Sure; thee tubes were the main cause. I owned the Music ref2 the biasing pots went South,twice. A Jadis 7 mk4 also went So. to the tune of a near 1 thou,repair. Many other tube amps I only kept for 6/12 months w/ no repairs.
My overview would read like a resume for wives/girl friends;--some are worth it some not. I guess each of us has a different tolerance for such.
I now use the CJ 350,a SS design. This is the best amp I have owned and I only have to push the "on" button.
dodgealum
976 posts
 
I don't think the use of BMW as an example in this instance is appropriate. I owned a 73' 2002tii for many, many years and it was far more reliable than my wife's Ford Escape. BMW's reputation for reliable continues to this day due to the track record of recent production models. Perhaps Ferrari, Lotus, Jaguar or Triumph would be better examples of cars that offer superior performance but have a history of reliability issues. To the issue raised by the post, it seems to me that many people (like myself) split the difference by going with a (generally) low maintenence/high reliability tube preamp coupled with a solid state power amp that avoids some to the potential pitfalls of tube amps.
samzx12
883 posts
 
02-11-09: Rlwainwright
Take a good look at Butler's tube/MOSFET hybrid amps - sweet tube sound coupled with the balls of the MOSFETs. And, because he is running the tubes at only 5% of their rated output, the tubes are supposed to last more than 20 years.

www.butleraudio.com

-RW-

I am not picking on you and understand everyone has their opinions. Do you own stock in Butler or a dealer because every thread you answer recommends Butler amps. I mean there are tons of nice dependable amps/preamps in this world other than Butler (shaking my head)...lol.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
Dodgealum, I have owned three BMWs:1997 Z3, 2000 540i, 2003 330i. All have had substantial and costly maintenance and/or repair issues beyond what I have experienced with other autos.

If you read Consumer Reports, you will also see that BMW autos have a higher incidence of repairs and maintenance than many other brands.

So, I hope you will understand that my analogy was based primarily on my own personal experience with late model BMW cars. I have no doubt there are many BMW owners like yourself who have had years and years of trouble free ownership.

As usual, making non-audio analogies in these threads generates opposing commentary that ultimately is of little value. I wish I hadn't brought it up, and I'm hoping this tangential discussion dies quickly.
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