What I need to know about tubes
janmike
Posts: 6,146
As some of you know I am venturing into the tube world and have absolutely zero knowledge of tubes. I did a little research and would like to tap the expertise of you tube gurus. Some of the questions I'm thinking about are:
1) Do I need a tube tester?
2) Are some brands better than others and if so what are the good brands?
3) How do you change a tube? Is it as easy as pulling the old one out a properly reseeding the new one. Do they just push in or do they twist and lock?
4) What is the life expectancy of tubes (pre and amp?)
5) I assume touching a tube with your hands is not a good thing.
6) Where do you folks buy your tubes? Do you go back to the manufacturer?
7) This list goes on and on......
If you have a link for "Tubes For Dummies" or could impart some beginner tips, that would be greatly appreciated. Thanks folks.
1) Do I need a tube tester?
2) Are some brands better than others and if so what are the good brands?
3) How do you change a tube? Is it as easy as pulling the old one out a properly reseeding the new one. Do they just push in or do they twist and lock?
4) What is the life expectancy of tubes (pre and amp?)
5) I assume touching a tube with your hands is not a good thing.
6) Where do you folks buy your tubes? Do you go back to the manufacturer?
7) This list goes on and on......
If you have a link for "Tubes For Dummies" or could impart some beginner tips, that would be greatly appreciated. Thanks folks.
Michael 
In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
NORTH of 60°
In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
NORTH of 60°
Post edited by janmike on
Comments
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Unless you are going Big time,, a tester is not necessary..I always buy tubes from repitubale people/dealers, usually,vintage Amperex,Mullard,Telefunken and a few others are the most sought after. Me,,,I really ant hear THAT much difference,,maybe it's my ears. IIRC,,you fingers leave a "oil" type of bodily residue on the tube,,so use a glove,,,plus they are hot. Always power off whem changing,,and the ones I've had,,pull out,,,push in. Try a google for "joe's tube lore",,pretty good reading.I've followed the suggestions from the more experienced members here,,and I love the tube pre,and sand amp combo,,, but then,,my mind drifts back to PF,,and the "stingray",,have fun
JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut) -
They can/should last a good long time (thousands of hours), depending upon how conservatively the circuit designer is running them. The rectifier tubes in my fifty-year old EICO HF-81, for example, appears to be the originals.
Yes, tubes can get very hot (200 or even 250 degrees C is a typical design maximum for a power output tube); always let 'em cool before changing.
Most of the new production tubes are OK; you get what you pay for. Are the best of vintage tubes better? Heck, yeah, but again: you get what you pay for.
You needn't protect tubes from finger oils by wearing gloves (they get hot, but not halogen bulb hot; skin oil won't hurt 'em). That said, it won't hurt to wear gloves if you prefer.
Here's a tube primer for extreme newbies that I think is pretty good.
http://www.anthemav.com/OldSitev1/pdf/taste.pdf -
I found that microphonics are an issue for my tube-preamp. That is when the tubes pick up sounds in the evironment, gear, electricity, etc. I got some tube dampers which helped quite a bit. So I'd recommend getting some. I bought some inexpensive one's from the 'gon and they did the job.
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Thanks guys - great info.
I did look at tube dampers and forgot to ask that questions. Any special material or the number of dampers per tube.Michael
In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
NORTH of 60° -
How exactly are you planning on getting into tubes. I just recently did the same thing, my advice would be if this is your first go at it, go for a tube pre-amp. Leave your source and power solid state and try tubes in the middle. I got the Little Dot MKIV SE, which is also a great tube headphone amp. It's based on the Mullard M8100 driver, which is an extremely enjoyable tube. In fact, I think I'm going to go listen to it....Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
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They make great space heaters. "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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I'm no expert but this is some of what I learned from others.
First off I think a tube tester is very useful if you are going to be running several different tubes. Myself I have 17 tubes in the chain. If I notice something isn't sounding right I like to isolate it to the specific tube and have them replaced rather than swapping a bunch of tubes via trial and error. I also test my tubes periodically because when a tube goes down it can take some of the circuitry with it.
The tubes just sit in the sockets without any twisting etc. To insert a tube I have been told to gently push down from the top. To remove a tube I have been told to pull up at the base. I have also been told that it is not good to touch the tubes with your fingers and thus I wear gloves when handling them. Also, make sure that the tube is fully seated.
When buying tubes talk to the vendor in regards to how the tubes sound in the particular piece of gear that you are putting them in. They are often very knowledgeable in regards to this. DON'T BUY TUBES FROM PARTS CONNEXION...THEY SUCK!. A couple good and knowledgeable Canadian vendors are http://thetubestore.com/ and http://www.tubeaudioproducts.com/ (don't go by there website though contact Alfred..he will have stuff that is not up on the website)
Good luck,
MikeModwright SWL 9.0 SE (6Sons Audio Thunderbird PC with Oyaide 004 terminations)
Consonance cd120T
Consonance Cyber 800 tube monoblocks (6Sons Audio Thunderbird PC's with Oyaide 004 terminations)
Usher CP 6311
Phillips Pronto TS1000 Universal Remote -
Tube dampers are typically silicone O-rings; other materials may be used as well (Teflon?).
They may help with microphonics, which can be a very real issue with otherwise good-sounding tubes. -
How exactly are you planning on getting into tubes. I just recently did the same thing, my advice would be if this is your first go at it, go for a tube pre-amp. Leave your source and power solid state and try tubes in the middle. I got the Little Dot MKIV SE, which is also a great tube headphone amp. It's based on the Mullard M8100 driver, which is an extremely enjoyable tube. In fact, I think I'm going to go listen to it....
Pre - Audio Research LS26 (already purchased)
Amp - Audio Research VS115 (Will be purchased)
Source - Esoteric SACD (already purchased)Michael
In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
NORTH of 60° -
Midnite Mick wrote: »I'm no expert but this is some of what I learned from others.
First off I think a tube tester is very useful if you are going to be running several different tubes. Myself I have 17 tubes in the chain. If I notice something isn't sounding right I like to isolate it to the specific tube and have them replaced rather than swapping a bunch of tubes via trial and error. I also test my tubes periodically because when a tube goes down it can take some of the circuitry with it.
The tubes just sit in the sockets without any twisting etc. To insert a tube I have been told to gently push down from the top. To remove a tube I have been told to pull up at the base. I have also been told that it is not good to touch the tubes with your fingers and thus I wear gloves when handling them. Also, make sure that the tube is fully seated.
When buying tubes talk to the vendor in regards to how the tubes sound in the particular piece of gear that you are putting them in. They are often very knowledgeable in regards to this. DON'T BUY TUBES FROM PARTS CONNEXION...THEY SUCK!. A couple good and knowledgeable Canadian vendors are http://thetubestore.com/ and http://www.tubeaudioproducts.com/ (don't go by there website though contact Alfred..he will have stuff that is not up on the website)
Good luck,
Mike
Thanks Mike - more great info. Don't worry, this is not against you but as I was reading your post about the way to insert and remove a tube, my mind drifted to an old Leave It To Beaver clip where Ward is repairing the cord on the toaster, kettle or something and Theodore asks what he is doing. After Ward explains that he is repairing the cord because Beaver's Mother pulls the plug out of the wall by pulling on the middle of the cord, Theodore then asks "Why does she do that?" "I don't know", Ward replies.
As corny as that show was I still love it.
Stay with me folks, I'm having a 50's moment - seems to happen more and more these days. :eek:Michael
In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
NORTH of 60° -
Thanks guys - great info.
I did look at tube dampers and forgot to ask that questions. Any special material or the number of dampers per tube.
I use "O" rings, 4 on each 6922 tube. The seller recommended between 2-4 rings per tube. -
Anyone use the 6H30 tubes? If so, have you tried the 6H30P-DR Supertube and did you notice a difference from the regular 6H30?
The other tubes I will be using are the 6550C's. Any different lines in this one as well?Michael
In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
NORTH of 60° -
Pre - Audio Research LS26 (already purchased)
Amp - Audio Research VS115 (Will be purchased)
Source - Esoteric SACD (already purchased)
Serious gear there Michael,, congrats.JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut) -
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try this link
http://herbiesaudiolab.home.att.net/JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut) -
george daniel wrote: »try this link
http://herbiesaudiolab.home.att.net/
That is a great place as George indicated. Steve is very helpful.Michael
In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
NORTH of 60° -
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Anyone use the 6H30 tubes? If so, have you tried the 6H30P-DR Supertube and did you notice a difference from the regular 6H30?
The other tubes I will be using are the 6550C's. Any different lines in this one as well?
I have the Electro Harmonix gold-pinned 6H30-Pi tubes in my Little Dot. From what I gather, the supertube DR version would offer about a 5% sonic improvment, at about 5X the cost. Check out thetubestore:
http://thetubestore.com/6h30types.html
The Sovtek's are supposed to be quite good as well. I don't think you need to shell out $160 per tube for the DR's....Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
