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Output tubes for ARC Ref 110

I am getting ready to replace the tubes in my ARC Ref 110.
I will be buying set of KT120 as main output tubes but was wondering if I should also replace at the same time the 6H30 stage tubes ?
I have done just a bit of reading and see that many people run the 6H30 much longer than the main power tubes.

What's the recommendation here ?

thanks!
ether
dweller's avatar
dweller
3,795 posts
 
Life expectancy for 6H30 (normal conditions) is around 10,000 hours. 6550 around 2000. I'll assume the KT120 also 2000 hours.
ether OP
64 posts
 
Thanks !! 
Most people said the same thing as you but one person said to replace all 12 tubes in my amp.
mechans
3,048 posts
 
I can confirm that the pre amp tube will have a much longer life up to 10,000 but not always 10,000hs than the output tubes usually given as 2,000 hrs. .  The 6H30s should be 6H30 EB for that rating you may only get 5,000 hrs out of standard 6H30s. so be careful;. 
ether OP
64 posts
 
HI Mechans

Do you mean I should get 6H30EB rather than 6H30 but that EB version would probably last half as long as standard 6H30 ?
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