Newbie, first time tube rolling.


Hello Audiogoner's, First time tube rolling on anything. I replaced all the 12AU7 and Phono stage 12AX7 JJ tubes on my Luxman CL-38uC pre. My question is I left the unit on for 60 hours in the input selector position at Line 1 for break in or settle in period and i don't know if the phono 12AX7 tubes also came on for the break in period. My guess is, i have to set the input selector to phono position and proceed to break in the phono tubes separately? Can someone take the guessing out of me and fill me in with this question? Thanks in advance. Jorica.

jorica

It does not matter where you have the input selector. That is for choosing your listening source.- it does not turn on/off those tubes. The only time no current is going through those tubes, in phono stage, is when you have the preamp turned off, or those tubes are not seated in their respective sockets.

Have some fun tube rolling.  Most of us have gone thru the phase.  In the end you most likely will discover that the tubes the manufacturer chose for their equipment will be the best choice over all.  But, that should not stop you from exploring and experimenting, as long as you stay in the same 'family' of tubes....

@quincy 

I would beg to differ, in that by my observation, manufacturers of tube equipment these days choose tubes that are inexpensive and readily available, and most often these are Chinese tubes.  This keeps the price lower and assures that, come what may, the owner can easily purchase replacements.  But just about any manufacturer would admit that there are better tubes to be had.  Some smaller manufacturers will offer an upgraded tube set as a purchase option.  When I build a custom tube amp, I include the best tubes available, within reason, even if it means vintage ones.  This often adds several hundred dollars to the price, but my reasoning is that there's no point in claiming that my amplifier will outshine some other amplifier unless the customer hears it at its best.  And even if I sold the amp with inexpensive "starter" tubes, my first recommendation to the buyer would be to purchase better ones.  

Phono tubes are on when the amp is on.

As you are not running a signal through any of the tubes the selector switch makes no difference.

 

DeKay

Thank you to everyone who posted. I replaced the JJ' tubes with matched Telefunken and it's starting to sound sweet. Again Thank you all.