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Tube Amps and young children - avoiding burns etc.

I would like to purchase a tube amp (either a stereo amp or monoblocks) but am afraid that my young daughter will want to touch the tubes through natural inquisativeness and will burn herself. (Young flesh burns easier than adult fresh apparently.) Then there's a good chance that her hands will be sticky/dirty and touching the tube (either hot or cold) will leave a residue that isn't conducive to proper tube performance . . .

Do you know of tube brands & models that are covered by some sort of cage, assuming that touching the cage won't burn her but touching the tubes might? The only brands that come to my mind are: VTL, Wolcott, and C-J. Are there others that I've missed and should audition/consider? I expect to purchase either stand mounted monitors or electrostatic speakers so SET amps probably won't apply and because my room is 40ft * 15ft will probably need 100 - 150watts/channel I've been told by Martin Logan head office.

I will be putting the amp in a large wooden armoir on the bottom shelf (hence accessable to small children) and will need to keep the doors open to allow for ventilation as the other 3 sides are wood (of course). The bottom shelf has about 2.5ft of clearance.

So, if you are a tube amp owner and parent of young children, please share with me your tricks at keeping them safe while allowing you the pleasures of tube sound.

Thanks for your thoughts.
kevinzoe
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snook2's avatar
snook2
608 posts
 
I would also consider the Manley Neoclassic 250's in your choices. I have owned the Cary's and the Wolcotts and believe I have had the best sound with the Manley's. As far as the kids go I would keep them out of harms way.
jeffloistarca
1,004 posts
 
I'm with Jab, teach'em to respect stuff. Spend some time explaining to them what each piece of gear does, why they should leave it alone, and, that you'll always be happy to put some music on for them if they ask. Yes, that means listening to the #*$@*^ Barney song a hundred times! My kids grew up knowing I was into music, I've always taken my kids into high end stores and they've never been a problem. In fact they each have their own system in their bedroom and their stuff is pristine. Kids need to learn that they are not allowed to touch anything except the stuff that belongs to them. Your rig is not the only hazard, there are literally hundreds of common household items that can maim/kill. Teach 'em.
unsound
6,115 posts
 
Children don't have the maturity to be depended upon to make the right choices. Furthermore some developmental disability delays may not present themselves until the age of two years. Assuming cognition because the teaching efforts are provided can be risky. All things considered, I think it cavalier to think that you can teach young children to dependably avoid danger. It is an ongoing process that may take many years to dependably rely on. IMHO its really a matter of risk management. How old are the children? How reliable have they proven themsleves to be with regard to obedience. Have the children displayed the maturity to make appropriate decissions with regard to safety? Do the gains out way the risks? I could just imagine a child playing on the floor and accidentaly rolling over and burning/disfiguring his/her face. Perhaps you could put the hot tube amps on top of the armoir which has been tethered to the back wall and run longer speaker cables. Best of luck.
clueless
763 posts
 
Hi:

I was lucky enough to have 7 kids so when we lost two of them to the 450 volt plate voltage I barely noticed. It's kind of like one of those insect zappers only bigger. The other kids catch on real fast after that.

Cheers
I remain,
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