Joe Mac
Well-Known Member
In terms of sound? Never.
In terms of simplicity of use and design and the lack of a need to replace expensive consumables every couple of years? Whenever I have to buy new tubes
Totally Tubular: The Tube Thread
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In terms of sound? Never.
In terms of simplicity of use and design and the lack of a need to replace expensive consumables every couple of years? Whenever I have to buy new tubes
displayname
Well-Known Member
I think it's close to time to replace tubes finally, and I'm already thinking "ugh" for no reason, lol.In terms of sound? Never.
In terms of simplicity of use and design and the lack of a need to replace expensive consumables every couple of years? Whenever I have to buy new tubes
Joe Mac
Well-Known Member
Yeah I was a little resentful to it when I had to buy 4 new power tubes and next time will be 4 power, 4 pre and 2 rectifiers lol.
I have and always end up back with tubes.
You should have to replace your preamp tubes that often.
Joe Mac
Well-Known Member
Next time is two years off I’ve just replaced the power tubes. So I’ll be good to leave them a bit longer? That will be 4 years so approx 4,000 hours. I’d kinda banked on having to change the pre and retifier tubes every second swap of the power tubes. If I can save me some money I’ll happily do that!
AnthonyI
Well-Known Member
Not at all............even if I didn't have both
AnthonyI
Well-Known Member
Ya, I'm kind of lining up my latest rolls for a more manageable replacement cycle.
You can go 5k-10k on preamp tubes. I’d replace the rectifiers just to be safe. Keep your old ones as spares in case you get a dud new one.
Jango
Active Member
If you’re interested in a modern EL34 sound but with bass, try the Electro-Harmonix 6CA7s. They sound great and are a steal at the price. Less “ugh” for your dollar!
I haven’t thought about moving back to solid state but I do still have my Marantz and have no plans to let it go. I may swap it in at some point. If I get bored with the PL. Maybe someday, but no time soon.
JohnnyCashFan
Well-Known Member
I'm a realist. When I seen the recent prices and demand for some of my favorite old nos/used tubes I gave up the idea and found the best solid state I could get for the money I had. Although I certainly would try a tube unit again (and may well get a tube phono stage one day) or if new production tubes get close to nos (probably will never happen ie 12AX7).
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NOS is a no win situation. You either get to love a tube that’s eventually made of unobtanium, or the price eventually becomes prohibitive.
There are plenty of good quality new production tubes.
Besides, many issues with tube amps can be solved with a tube replacement. When solid state breaks, it’s pretty much a guaranteed trip to a tech.
displayname
Well-Known Member
That idea + cashflow are the number one things keeping me off the edge.
The cost of tubes isn't really the headache, I knew what I was getting into. The paradox of choice is more the cause of the "ugh".
I like my amp. I have nothing specific I would change. Does rolling tubes sound fun, sure. Does making that a new more complex part of the hobby sound fun... a little less so. I find more and more that I'm less of a tweaker than some.
AnthonyI
Well-Known Member
I'm in agreement, my intent with the tubes was always to settle on something that worked/sounded better than stock and then leave it be. Yes, with bottomless pockets I'd probably spend more time, and money, playing with various tubes, but its not a "mandatory" tube owner things
AnthonyI
Well-Known Member
I popped a few sales last week and figured I would replace my 2 gain tubes with a pair of Uncle Kev's Secret Stash to match the power tubes and I can tell you a tube, is a tube isn't accurate at all. The tubes being replaced were also GLs, but from a vendor on Reverb, they have about 700 hours on them and the new out of the box GLs from UA made an immediate audible impact.
So if it's better testing, better matching or UA's secret sauce, there is a difference.
So if it's better testing, better matching or UA's secret sauce, there is a difference.
Splunders
Well-Known Member
So a full set of GLs in the PL then? How are the KT88s going for you?I popped a few sales last week and figured I would replace my 2 gain tubes with a pair of Uncle Kev's Secret Stash to match the power tubes and I can tell you a tube, is a tube isn't accurate at all. The tubes being replaced were also GLs, but from a vendor on Reverb, they have about 700 hours on them and the new out of the box GLs from UA made an immediate audible impact.
So if it's better testing, better matching or UA's secret sauce, there is a difference.
AnthonyI
Well-Known Member
The only stock tubes left are the driver tubes, the KT's are working out really well. I think they hit that first sign of "Puberty" last week, you know that time when you go "Wait, something sounds different", lol. There sitting at about 90 hours, I debated on putting in the new gain tubes for about 2 hours, lol, figuring to give the KTs a little more time, but we know how that goes.
But the gain tubes, out of the gate brought more space to the sound, it was noticeable out the gate, especially in the low end. It might be a combination of the KTs hitting their stride at the same time, but it wasn't as subtle so I'm assuming the gain tubes had something to do with it.
Splunders
Well-Known Member
Nice. I think the gain tubes have the most direct impact on sound, so your experience makes sense.
