Biasing Tubes
xsmi
Posts: 1,798
Guy's
Just took delivery of my Yaqin tube integrated. I have a question on checking the bias as well as biasing the amp. Should I hook the unit up to my speakers to check the bias? Should the power be on? I've read somewhere that the bias should be checked both cold and warm. Oh and one last question, how do you know the tubes are seated? Should they click? I'm just a tube noob.
Just took delivery of my Yaqin tube integrated. I have a question on checking the bias as well as biasing the amp. Should I hook the unit up to my speakers to check the bias? Should the power be on? I've read somewhere that the bias should be checked both cold and warm. Oh and one last question, how do you know the tubes are seated? Should they click? I'm just a tube noob.
2-channelBelles 22A Pre, Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 2, Marantz SA8005, Pro-Ject RPM-10 Turntable, Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3B, Polk Audio Legend L800's, AudioQuest Cable throughout.
Post edited by xsmi on
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Yes, hook up the speakers. Power on the amp. Check the bias after about 10 minutes with no music playing. Should read .390 to .400 for each tube. Start with V1, then check V2, V3 and then V4, adjust as needed. No they won't click, just push them into their sockets and try to make them as vertical as possible. The front EL34 tubes are slightly more elevated than the rear EL 34's. Looking forward to hearing your impressions of the amp.SDA SRS 2.3TL's
Silk Audio MS-90-BT integrated tube amp
Yaqin MS-20L integrated tube amp
SDA 2B TL's -
Thanks. I'll get it done first thing in the morning.2-channelBelles 22A Pre, Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 2, Marantz SA8005, Pro-Ject RPM-10 Turntable, Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3B, Polk Audio Legend L800's, AudioQuest Cable throughout.
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Check and set the bias as soon as you power it up, then again 5 to 10 minutes later, then again an hour later. Do not play music while checking/setting the bias. If after an hour the bias is steady you're set. Check it once a month there after.
As noted, you absolutely must have a load (speakers or resistors) hooked up to any tube amp before powering up otherwise bad things will happen.Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
Two more question...I have a multi meter and I know I need to set it on volts. However, which voltage setting? 600, 200, 20, 2 or 200mA? Also, where should I plug the positive lead on meter? The setting up to 200mA or the one >200mA. Thanks guys.
2-channelBelles 22A Pre, Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 2, Marantz SA8005, Pro-Ject RPM-10 Turntable, Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3B, Polk Audio Legend L800's, AudioQuest Cable throughout. -
The positive should be on the bias pot and the negative on the neg binding post-- I set my vm to Mv-- hope this helpsJC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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I just did the initial bias setting. I got them all to fluctuate between .396-.401. I'll check it again in 10 min.2-channelBelles 22A Pre, Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 2, Marantz SA8005, Pro-Ject RPM-10 Turntable, Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3B, Polk Audio Legend L800's, AudioQuest Cable throughout.
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This is what the bias pots look like on my amp.
2-channelBelles 22A Pre, Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 2, Marantz SA8005, Pro-Ject RPM-10 Turntable, Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3B, Polk Audio Legend L800's, AudioQuest Cable throughout. -
Your readings look good. How does it sound so far?SDA SRS 2.3TL's
Silk Audio MS-90-BT integrated tube amp
Yaqin MS-20L integrated tube amp
SDA 2B TL's -
well,, they certainly made it convenient!!JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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nice amp....yaqin is a good way to get into tubes. Suggest you get rid of the stock tubes!Main Rig:
Antipodes DX > Roon > PS Audio Directstream Jr.>deHavilland Ultraverve 3 >Belles Reference 150a >Harbeth C7 ES3
Second Rig:
Roon> PS Audio Directstream Jr Bridge II > EE Minimax pre (Tutay mods) >Belles 150A Ref >Monitor 5 (Westmassguy-modded) -
Thanks. I'm going to hang on to the stock for a while to create a baseline. I want to "know" the sound of the amp before I change things.2-channelBelles 22A Pre, Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 2, Marantz SA8005, Pro-Ject RPM-10 Turntable, Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3B, Polk Audio Legend L800's, AudioQuest Cable throughout.
