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OK to replace one power tube for amp?

I have Joule Stargate Monos that use the Russian 6C33C-B power tube, two per amp. One of them isn't holding bias very well... wandering a bit. Can I just replace the one tube? Each power tube is individually biased in this amp and I've heard that matching pairs with 6C33s is just not something that happens so it would seem ok to buy 1 but I didn't know if having tubes of different ages was bad.
dhcod
dhcod OP
397 posts
 
Exactly my question. My amp is a Joule Electra Stargate SET and after just talking with their service guy it looks like the bias problem may be related to the electronics, not the 6C33s. When I get the problem fixed, how do I know whether the 6C33s are good still? The amps sound great but they are probably 13 plus years old and I think the tubes are the originals.
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,132 posts
 
How do I know whether the 6C33s are good? Well, if they are 13 years old, I think that they don't owe you anything.
dhcod OP
397 posts
 
Well put :)
rrog
1,958 posts
 
Most manufacturers estimate tube life in their equipment.
brf
1,699 posts
 
Tubes age just like people. As they get older, they slow down and are less dynamic; they don’t have the same sparkle and don’t have the same frequency extremes. They are just like an aging athlete; they can still play the game, put not at the same level.

The best way to determine if you need new tubes is to buy new tubes and compare for yourself. If there is no sound difference, put the new tubes away until that day comes.
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