A question I suspect reveals a lot of ignorance...

I'm not posting this to start an argument. I equate this from a mechanical view.Consider the life of a gas powered motor vs. a diesel motor.Higher rpm's equals shorter life span.Simple idea.
A good question. If we could get someone that absolutely knows the answer,it would be great.

I see ads for equipment here all the time saying that the equipment "wasn't driven hard". Well does playing and amp and preamp very loud cause it to age prematurely? Is is better off than an amp or preamp that wasn't played loudly?

After further thought on this, I recall an article that said the power output devices in an amp are running full tilt all the time and the source/preamp is what controls input. Or something like that.
Which at one time some cd players with volume control didn't have enough output voltage to drive an amp to full power.

Could anyone comment on the sound effects you hear as your power tube amp warms up?

Also, what may happen if you start playing music loud with a tube power amp that has only been on for about 5 minutes (you know the impatient start to a listening session)

I recently got an ARC Vt100mkii and personally I have not noticed a difference after its been on for about 45 minutes. Up to that point, the sound seems compressed and the bass is not as developed (as it can be). But, this result still is not objectionable in any way, its just not optimal...

I think it is the low voltage filament that dictates the life time of a given tube. The filaments don't like the turn on stress: thermal/mechanical.

It would be nice if, like most tube guitar amps I have come across, high end home audio amps would have seperate switches for the filament (standby) and b+/plate (operate)

I wonder how much longer a tube in the same circuit would last if it was brought up to operating temp before the high voltage was applied. maybe none??

Great thread