1. Home
  2. analog
  3. 1323726336

Tube Life

I’m using a phono pre-amp with a pair of telefunken 12AX7 and one 12AT7. I purchased these tubes several years ago and they were rated at about 50% life. Are tube noise and tube rush the only reasons to change out tubes? Everything is silent and yet I can’t help but think that several years of use should indicate some sort of wear. Any experience or suggestions will be appreciated.
drewmb1
uru975
684 posts
 
When Thor Audio was around I talked with Paul Marks, its founder. His view was leave it on 24/7 and just change the tubes each year. So that would be about 9000 hours of use. Make a guess at how much you have used them and that's a very ballpark estimate of whether to get new tubes. Sound is another good guide.
elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
Preamp tube usually go out with a wimper. And not a bang.
So, unlike amp power tubes.. you can just use preamp tubes until they annoy you.
And I leave my VAC Standard tube preamp on 24/7.
I bought it used a year and a half ago, left it on 24/7 so far.. still no problem. (with used old stock tubes)
thorman
1,262 posts
 
Do it the right way,,When in doubt,buy another set and have them on hand..If anything changes ( in sound ) dump the old set for the new...Always try to stay one step ahead of trouble.......
More to discover