primer on buying vintage tubes?
- Another excellent source of tubes, both vintage and new production, and great advice about any of them, is JIm McShane. All his tubes are thoroughly tested and he stands behind them. |
Margot, the most common way a tube goes bad is to die a natural death. It happens over time, and you'll notice that the highs in your system aren't as bright or the music isn't as dynamic as it used to be. Very often, the tell-tale signs of a tube gone bad are; the channel is dead or the sound is cutting in and out. All of a sudden there might be hissing or crackling coming thru one of the channels. If a tube has become microphonic, it means the tube is unstable and vibrating; you may hear unusual overtones in the music. |
