Tube Rolling Issues
+3
chua55
lkm
hangleng
7 posters
Hi-Fi 4 Sale - Malaysia / Singapore Audio Forum & Marketplace | www.hifi4sale.net :: Discussion Forum & Knowledge Base :: Equipment Discussions
Page 1 of 1
Tube Rolling Issues
We all know that the tube power amp consists of input tubes, output tubes and rectifier. The issues are as follow:
1. What is the tube life span for the above categories.
2. For tube rolling, can we replacing power tubes more often than input tubes and rectifier tubes.
3. If we change only power/ output tubes, will the combination of new and old tubes causing problem to sound reproduction.
TQ
1. What is the tube life span for the above categories.
2. For tube rolling, can we replacing power tubes more often than input tubes and rectifier tubes.
3. If we change only power/ output tubes, will the combination of new and old tubes causing problem to sound reproduction.
TQ
hangleng- Frequent Contributor
- Number of posts : 163
Age : 58
Location : ipoh
Registration date : 2009-01-22
Character sheet
Source(s):
Amplification:
Speakers:
Re: Tube Rolling Issues
1. Input tubes can last about 5,000 hrs, output tubes, 3,000 hrs. How long they last also depends on their quality of manufacture. My amp came with China made tubes and one KT88 tube blew within 2 weeks. They do sound not too bad though.
2. Yes if you want to but tubes do need time to settle. The tube's audio signature can only be discern after some period of breaking in and how long to break in varies. Speaking from experience, give or take 100 hrs. Btw, the difference in sound is greater when changing input tubes compared to output tubes.
3. Biasing would be a problem. The tubes start to wear out from day 1 of using the amp and over time biasing is required to keep the tubes performing at their optimum level. As I'm not the DIY type, I opted for an amp with an auto biasing feature which takes care of this problem.
2. Yes if you want to but tubes do need time to settle. The tube's audio signature can only be discern after some period of breaking in and how long to break in varies. Speaking from experience, give or take 100 hrs. Btw, the difference in sound is greater when changing input tubes compared to output tubes.
3. Biasing would be a problem. The tubes start to wear out from day 1 of using the amp and over time biasing is required to keep the tubes performing at their optimum level. As I'm not the DIY type, I opted for an amp with an auto biasing feature which takes care of this problem.
lkm- New Member
- Number of posts : 22
Age : 63
Location : Wilayah Persekutuan
Registration date : 2009-03-05
Re: Tube Rolling Issues
auto bias or cathode bias means the same thing anyway. It is not completely proof and it is a good practice to check it occasionally for better performance. Contrary to popular believe tubes are costly maintenance issues, that is becos care is not given. for all you may know, tubes can withstand abuse more harshly than sands.
chua55- Frequent Contributor
- Number of posts : 352
Age : 52
Location : cheras
Registration date : 2009-04-19
Re: Tube Rolling Issues
My monoblock power amp is using all together 26 sovtek tubes. So it seems that I do not have to change ALL the tubes one shot but 8 of the power tubes only. But how do we know when to change the tubes as I do not have a tube tester.
hangleng- Frequent Contributor
- Number of posts : 163
Age : 58
Location : ipoh
Registration date : 2009-01-22
Character sheet
Source(s):
Amplification:
Speakers:
Re: Tube Rolling Issues
i dont agree that changing power tubes make less difference compare to input tube. my unison research amp sounds 200% better after changing from stock sovtek kt88 to reissue goldlion kt88. bass is deeper and tighter and the soundstage improves tremendously too.
Lamkochai- Frequent Contributor
- Number of posts : 355
Age : 47
Location : penang
Registration date : 2009-01-19
Character sheet
Source(s): bryston bdp2, bryston dac, reimyo dac, Dps Turntable tonearm and benzmicro rubyz
Amplification: gryphon diable 300, genesis phono amp, diy tube amp
Speakers: marten django xl & audiophysic virgo
Re: Tube Rolling Issues
Your ears are the best tube tester.
Every piece of gear is designed for a purpose. Changing components would yield a difference depending on the state.
Every piece of gear is designed for a purpose. Changing components would yield a difference depending on the state.
chua55- Frequent Contributor
- Number of posts : 352
Age : 52
Location : cheras
Registration date : 2009-04-19
Re: Tube Rolling Issues
Hi,
Would like to seek an advise. When shld we change the tube? Shld we wait till the tube blows out.
When the tube blows out, it does produce a pop sound, will it damage the other equipments (speaker/cd player etc)?
Thank you
Would like to seek an advise. When shld we change the tube? Shld we wait till the tube blows out.
When the tube blows out, it does produce a pop sound, will it damage the other equipments (speaker/cd player etc)?
Thank you
is_jalil- Club Member
- Number of posts : 37
Age : 48
Location : KL
Registration date : 2009-03-15
Re: Tube Rolling Issues
I am tired of tube rolling on my headamp setup but happy with those that I am having.
OutdoorXplorer- Regular
- Number of posts : 52
Age : 54
Location : Kuala Lumpur, MYS
Registration date : 2009-01-22
Re: Tube Rolling Issues
A change of 4 tubes into a Klimo ViV Phono stage brought it back to life. The old tubes were only some 4 years old and sounded so drab and lazy prior to the replacement. Bunch of ECC81 and 6922 tubes.
At the rate I'm playing my amps, I'd change them every 3 years.
At the rate I'm playing my amps, I'd change them every 3 years.
cmboy- Frequent Contributor
- Number of posts : 1298
Age : 44
Location : The Eagle's Nest
Registration date : 2009-03-11
Character sheet
Source(s):
Amplification:
Speakers:
Similar topics
» CAL Sigma 2 Tube DAC modifications
» Hi-Fi Magazines - TAS, Stereophile etc. Past Issues
» Hi-Fi Magazines (past issues) SOLD
» AC Noise issue ,grounding issues?
» The Rolling Stone LP
» Hi-Fi Magazines - TAS, Stereophile etc. Past Issues
» Hi-Fi Magazines (past issues) SOLD
» AC Noise issue ,grounding issues?
» The Rolling Stone LP
Hi-Fi 4 Sale - Malaysia / Singapore Audio Forum & Marketplace | www.hifi4sale.net :: Discussion Forum & Knowledge Base :: Equipment Discussions
Page 1 of 1
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum