New Tube Amp... Dust Cover?

thetawave2
thetawave2 Posts: 268
edited November 2011 in Electronics
I've been thinking about this for a few months and I finally pulled the trigger on a Yaqin MC-100B. I bought it through Canadian Hi-Fi on ebay, as this seller seems to have a good reputation in the forums and I didn't want to take my chances with one showing up DOA from China. I won't be able to use it for a couple weeks as I'm currently away from home. Needless to say, I'm really excited to come home after over 4 months without any respectable stereo.

In the meantime, I'm considering buying a dust cover. I haven't done much research and I'd appreciate any background info, places to look, things to be cautious of, et c. I'm not looking to spend much money but I want to protect my investment, especially from our super-dusty college dorm next semester. I was also thinking it might be possible to make one. Any ideas?
My Stereo: Tannoy D100s, Yaqin MC-100B, VPI Traveler, Dynavector 10x5 MC Phono Cartridge, heavily modified Yaqin MS-22B phono preamp, TEAC EQA-20 equalizer, Belkin PureAV PF30 Power Conditioner, Canare 4s11 speaker cables, Custom dust cover from DigitalDeckCovers
Post edited by thetawave2 on
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  • thetawave2
    thetawave2 Posts: 268
    edited November 2011
    I'm also new to tubes so any miscellaneous advice about tubes more generally is more than welcome.
    My Stereo: Tannoy D100s, Yaqin MC-100B, VPI Traveler, Dynavector 10x5 MC Phono Cartridge, heavily modified Yaqin MS-22B phono preamp, TEAC EQA-20 equalizer, Belkin PureAV PF30 Power Conditioner, Canare 4s11 speaker cables, Custom dust cover from DigitalDeckCovers
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  • inspiredsports
    inspiredsports Posts: 5,502
    edited November 2011
    The covers on most tube amps act to protect the tubes rather than keep dust out.

    Most tube amp owners end up changing ("rolling") tubes as the originals may be inexpensive to keep the initial cost down. The Chinese 6sn7's that come stock in that particularr amp are know to be low cost and can be economically replaced for sonic improvement.

    I had a Yaqin tube buffer years ago that was very good and used the same 6sn7. I believe I substituted an Amperex Bugle Boy which was an exceptional improvement.

    I'm sure H9 and others can offer some more specific suggestions for replacements.
    VTL ST50 w/mods / RCA6L6GC / TlfnknECC801S
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 w/mods
    TT Conrad Johnson Sonographe SG3 Oak / Sumiko LMT / Grado Woodbody Platinum / Sumiko PIB2 / The Clamp
    Musical Fidelity A1 CDPro/ Bada DD-22 Tube CDP / Conrad Johnson SD-22 CDP
    Tuners w/mods Kenwood KT5020 / Fisher KM60
    MF x-DAC V8, HAInfo NG27
    Herbies Ti-9 / Vibrapods / MIT Shotgun AC1 IEC's / MIT Shotgun 2 IC's / MIT Shotgun 2 Speaker Cables
    PS Audio Cryo / PowerPort Premium Outlets / Exact Power EP15A Conditioner
    Walnut SDA 2B TL /Oak SDA SRS II TL (Sonicaps/Mills/Cardas/Custom SDA ICs / Dynamat Extreme / Larry's Rings/ FSB-2 Spikes
    NAD SS rigs w/mods
    GIK panels
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  • thetawave2
    thetawave2 Posts: 268
    edited November 2011
    inspiredsports wrote: »
    Most tube amp owners end up changing ("rolling") tubes as originals may be inexpensive to keep the cost down. The Chinese 6sn7's that come stock in that particularr amp are know to be low cost and can be economically replaced for sonic improvement.

    I'm sure H9 and others can offer some suggestions for replacements.

    I am definitely planning on experimenting with different tubes, just not at the moment. I know that H9 and other users have much wisdom I'd be able to learn from and I'll definitely be coming here first when I start my search for tubes.

    If dust isn't an issue maybe I'll hold off on the cover for the time being. The amp comes with a removable cage, so protecting the tubes from accidental breakage won't be an issue.

    Your Amperex suggestion has been noted :)
    My Stereo: Tannoy D100s, Yaqin MC-100B, VPI Traveler, Dynavector 10x5 MC Phono Cartridge, heavily modified Yaqin MS-22B phono preamp, TEAC EQA-20 equalizer, Belkin PureAV PF30 Power Conditioner, Canare 4s11 speaker cables, Custom dust cover from DigitalDeckCovers
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  • inspiredsports
    inspiredsports Posts: 5,502
    edited November 2011
    I see the yaqin.cn website (click "English" in the upper right corner) shows a modern looking cover for your unit.

    http://www.yaqin.cn/view.asp?En-63.html
    VTL ST50 w/mods / RCA6L6GC / TlfnknECC801S
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 w/mods
    TT Conrad Johnson Sonographe SG3 Oak / Sumiko LMT / Grado Woodbody Platinum / Sumiko PIB2 / The Clamp
    Musical Fidelity A1 CDPro/ Bada DD-22 Tube CDP / Conrad Johnson SD-22 CDP
    Tuners w/mods Kenwood KT5020 / Fisher KM60
    MF x-DAC V8, HAInfo NG27
    Herbies Ti-9 / Vibrapods / MIT Shotgun AC1 IEC's / MIT Shotgun 2 IC's / MIT Shotgun 2 Speaker Cables
    PS Audio Cryo / PowerPort Premium Outlets / Exact Power EP15A Conditioner
    Walnut SDA 2B TL /Oak SDA SRS II TL (Sonicaps/Mills/Cardas/Custom SDA ICs / Dynamat Extreme / Larry's Rings/ FSB-2 Spikes
    NAD SS rigs w/mods
    GIK panels
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  • thetawave2
    thetawave2 Posts: 268
    edited November 2011
    inspiredsports wrote: »
    I see the yaqin.cn website (click "English" in the upper right corner) shows a modern looking cover for your unit.

    http://www.yaqin.cn/view.asp?En-63.html

    The cage cover included with the unit will protect the tubes from breakage or curious fingers and I'm definitely happy about that. However, it won't do much to keep the dust out! Maybe it isn't such a big deal but I thought I might protect my unit from dust.
    My Stereo: Tannoy D100s, Yaqin MC-100B, VPI Traveler, Dynavector 10x5 MC Phono Cartridge, heavily modified Yaqin MS-22B phono preamp, TEAC EQA-20 equalizer, Belkin PureAV PF30 Power Conditioner, Canare 4s11 speaker cables, Custom dust cover from DigitalDeckCovers
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  • inspiredsports
    inspiredsports Posts: 5,502
    edited November 2011
    thetawave2 wrote: »
    The cage cover included with the unit will protect the tubes from breakage or curious fingers and I'm definitely happy about that. However, it won't do much to keep the dust out! Maybe it isn't such a big deal but I thought I might protect my unit from dust.

    Many (maybe even most) tube amps don't even come with a tube grille-style cover. Anything that would keep dust out would keep heat in. Tubes are already "perishable" and excessive heat buildup further shortens their lives (and is bad for surrounding electronic components).

    Your comment about curious fingers is accurate. You also need to know it's best to never hold a tube with bare fingers/hands as skin oil on the glass holds heat differently from clean glass. Studies show oil on the glass shortens tube life. Some use a soft cloth and other use light gloves whenever handling tubes.

    I'm not sure I'm doing it right, but dust with canned air an angled paint brush with very soft, long bristles.
    VTL ST50 w/mods / RCA6L6GC / TlfnknECC801S
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 w/mods
    TT Conrad Johnson Sonographe SG3 Oak / Sumiko LMT / Grado Woodbody Platinum / Sumiko PIB2 / The Clamp
    Musical Fidelity A1 CDPro/ Bada DD-22 Tube CDP / Conrad Johnson SD-22 CDP
    Tuners w/mods Kenwood KT5020 / Fisher KM60
    MF x-DAC V8, HAInfo NG27
    Herbies Ti-9 / Vibrapods / MIT Shotgun AC1 IEC's / MIT Shotgun 2 IC's / MIT Shotgun 2 Speaker Cables
    PS Audio Cryo / PowerPort Premium Outlets / Exact Power EP15A Conditioner
    Walnut SDA 2B TL /Oak SDA SRS II TL (Sonicaps/Mills/Cardas/Custom SDA ICs / Dynamat Extreme / Larry's Rings/ FSB-2 Spikes
    NAD SS rigs w/mods
    GIK panels
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited November 2011
    coverless--I wanna see the glow
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • thetawave2
    thetawave2 Posts: 268
    edited November 2011
    inspiredsports wrote: »
    Many (maybe even most) tube amps don't even come with a tube grille-style cover. Anything that would keep dust out would keep heat in. Tubes are already "perishable" and excessive heat buildup further shortens their lives (and is bad for surrounding electronic components).

    Your comment about curious fingers is accurate. You also need to know it's best to never hold a tube with bare fingers/hands as skin oil on the glass holds heat differently from clean glass. Studies show oil on the glass shortens tube life. Some use a soft cloth and other use light gloves whenever handling tubes

    I thought trapping heat in might be a bad idea. The dust cover would be only be for when the amp was not in use (and sufficiently cooled!)

    So do you think I shouldn't worry about the dust besides cleaning like you mentioned?
    My Stereo: Tannoy D100s, Yaqin MC-100B, VPI Traveler, Dynavector 10x5 MC Phono Cartridge, heavily modified Yaqin MS-22B phono preamp, TEAC EQA-20 equalizer, Belkin PureAV PF30 Power Conditioner, Canare 4s11 speaker cables, Custom dust cover from DigitalDeckCovers
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  • inspiredsports
    inspiredsports Posts: 5,502
    edited November 2011
    george daniel wrote: »
    coverless--I wanna see the glow

    That also :mrgreen:
    VTL ST50 w/mods / RCA6L6GC / TlfnknECC801S
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 w/mods
    TT Conrad Johnson Sonographe SG3 Oak / Sumiko LMT / Grado Woodbody Platinum / Sumiko PIB2 / The Clamp
    Musical Fidelity A1 CDPro/ Bada DD-22 Tube CDP / Conrad Johnson SD-22 CDP
    Tuners w/mods Kenwood KT5020 / Fisher KM60
    MF x-DAC V8, HAInfo NG27
    Herbies Ti-9 / Vibrapods / MIT Shotgun AC1 IEC's / MIT Shotgun 2 IC's / MIT Shotgun 2 Speaker Cables
    PS Audio Cryo / PowerPort Premium Outlets / Exact Power EP15A Conditioner
    Walnut SDA 2B TL /Oak SDA SRS II TL (Sonicaps/Mills/Cardas/Custom SDA ICs / Dynamat Extreme / Larry's Rings/ FSB-2 Spikes
    NAD SS rigs w/mods
    GIK panels
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  • thetawave2
    thetawave2 Posts: 268
    edited November 2011
    I'm pretty excited about the glow too! I'd definitely take the dust cover off whenever the amp was powered up, and I plan to take the included grille cover from time to time to enjoy the look of the tubes underneath (the same way I leave my speaker grilles on much of the time but often take them off when listening).
    My Stereo: Tannoy D100s, Yaqin MC-100B, VPI Traveler, Dynavector 10x5 MC Phono Cartridge, heavily modified Yaqin MS-22B phono preamp, TEAC EQA-20 equalizer, Belkin PureAV PF30 Power Conditioner, Canare 4s11 speaker cables, Custom dust cover from DigitalDeckCovers
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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,934
    edited November 2011
    you can use a dust cover when the amp is not in use. or just cover the amp with a nice looking cloth when not in use.
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
    Puritan PSM156
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  • thetawave2
    thetawave2 Posts: 268
    edited November 2011
    marvda1 wrote: »
    you can use a dust cover when the amp is not in use. or just cover the amp with a nice looking cloth when not in use.
    A definite possibility. The included cover will even keep the cloth off the tubes! Maybe the simple solution is the way to go here.
    My Stereo: Tannoy D100s, Yaqin MC-100B, VPI Traveler, Dynavector 10x5 MC Phono Cartridge, heavily modified Yaqin MS-22B phono preamp, TEAC EQA-20 equalizer, Belkin PureAV PF30 Power Conditioner, Canare 4s11 speaker cables, Custom dust cover from DigitalDeckCovers
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited November 2011
    http://www.digitaldeckcovers.com/

    DDC makes some very affordable covers for all your gear. Just give them the dimensions and select the fabric and they will make you an excellent cover. I used one of their solutions for my old Pro-ject RM-5SE TT and it worked beautifully.
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  • thetawave2
    thetawave2 Posts: 268
    edited November 2011
    SolidSqual wrote: »
    http://www.digitaldeckcovers.com/

    DDC makes some very affordable covers for all your gear. Just give them the dimensions and select the fabric and they will make you an excellent cover. I used one of their solutions for my old Pro-ject RM-5SE TT and it worked beautifully.

    Those look quite nice and the prices I saw for some turntables (just to get a ballpark) seemed very reasonable. I will definitely consider this company as an option. Thank you for the suggestion!
    My Stereo: Tannoy D100s, Yaqin MC-100B, VPI Traveler, Dynavector 10x5 MC Phono Cartridge, heavily modified Yaqin MS-22B phono preamp, TEAC EQA-20 equalizer, Belkin PureAV PF30 Power Conditioner, Canare 4s11 speaker cables, Custom dust cover from DigitalDeckCovers
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 51,668
    edited November 2011
    You do not need a dust cover and that tube cage is mainly to keep idiots that don't know better from burning their fingers. Get a can of compressed air and call it a day.
    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

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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited November 2011
    Whenever I'm swapping tubes, I just dust the unit real quick and never have any problems.
    Jake
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited November 2011
    F1nut wrote: »
    You do not need a dust cover and that tube cage is mainly to keep idiots that don't know better from burning their fingers. Get a can of compressed air and call it a day.

    careful with that can Eugene
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited November 2011
    F1nut wrote: »
    You do not need a dust cover and that tube cage is mainly to keep idiots that don't know better from burning their fingers. Get a can of compressed air and call it a day.

    Are you so old that College dorm living predates your glory days?

    Dorm rooms are dusty as hell. The poorly filtered heating and cooling systems spread the dust all over the place. It gets in everything. The cost of compressed air over time is more than a good cover. Not to mention, the dust in these settings seems to be sticky. Without a cover, you will still smell something burning.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 51,668
    edited November 2011
    SolidSqual wrote: »
    Are you so old that College dorm living predates your glory days?

    I had a maid. :mrgreen:
    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

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  • thetawave2
    thetawave2 Posts: 268
    edited November 2011
    F1nut wrote: »
    You do not need a dust cover and that tube cage is mainly to keep idiots that don't know better from burning their fingers. Get a can of compressed air and call it a day.

    If doling out $150 or more for an acrylic box were my only option, I'd definitely be with you on that. But something in the neighborhood of 30 bucks for a quilted cotton cover at DDC is hard to pass up....

    And SolidSqual is right. They never replace the filters in our vent systems. Even though it's a fairly new building, the amount of dust is mind-boggling. And on top of that, it IS sticky. Yuck!
    My Stereo: Tannoy D100s, Yaqin MC-100B, VPI Traveler, Dynavector 10x5 MC Phono Cartridge, heavily modified Yaqin MS-22B phono preamp, TEAC EQA-20 equalizer, Belkin PureAV PF30 Power Conditioner, Canare 4s11 speaker cables, Custom dust cover from DigitalDeckCovers
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited November 2011
    Just dust occasionally and you'll be fine. As stated, cages are just to protect your tubes anything else would cause excessive heat build up if the unit was used with a cover!

    I find that getting a box of latex surgical gloves is best for handling tubes. What's that Weird Al Madonna song? "Like a Surgeon". lol

    Yaqin products are certainly good performers at lower cost. And let's face it, many Chinese products, including my Jolida, are basically copies/mods of some older more expensive German tube amps.

    Enjoy!

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • thetawave2
    thetawave2 Posts: 268
    edited November 2011
    cnh wrote: »
    Just dust occasionally and you'll be fine. As stated, cages are just to protect your tubes anything else would cause excessive heat build up if the unit was used with a cover!

    I find that getting a box of latex surgical gloves is best for handling tubes. What's that Weird Al Madonna song? "Like a Surgeon". lol

    Yaqin products are certainly good performers at lower cost. And let's face it, many Chinese products, including my Jolida, are basically copies/mods of some older more expensive German tube amps.

    Enjoy!

    cnh

    Whether I go cloth or acrylic, neither will be on when the amp's powered up. Definitely not looking to roast my amp or make pretty little Chihuly tributes out of my tubes ;)
    My Stereo: Tannoy D100s, Yaqin MC-100B, VPI Traveler, Dynavector 10x5 MC Phono Cartridge, heavily modified Yaqin MS-22B phono preamp, TEAC EQA-20 equalizer, Belkin PureAV PF30 Power Conditioner, Canare 4s11 speaker cables, Custom dust cover from DigitalDeckCovers
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited November 2011
    Where do you go to school? I don't remember that much dust from my college days, but dorms can be weird places...
    Jake
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  • thetawave2
    thetawave2 Posts: 268
    edited November 2011
    zingo wrote: »
    Where do you go to school? I don't remember that much dust from my college days, but dorms can be weird places...

    Boston College. Aside from the dust, the housing is quite nice.
    My Stereo: Tannoy D100s, Yaqin MC-100B, VPI Traveler, Dynavector 10x5 MC Phono Cartridge, heavily modified Yaqin MS-22B phono preamp, TEAC EQA-20 equalizer, Belkin PureAV PF30 Power Conditioner, Canare 4s11 speaker cables, Custom dust cover from DigitalDeckCovers
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