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Replace tubes yearly?

I just watched a Paul McGowan video (PS Audio) about the wisdom of leaving your gear powered on all the time. I get that. He also said that vacuum tube gear is the exception and not to leave it on all the time. I get that too.

But he also mentioned that it didn’t make a huge difference since you probably should replace your tubes every year.

Is that true? I have an Audio Research LS-16 tube preamp from the late 90s or early 2000s. I don’t think the tubes have ever been changed. I’m not really a ’tube’ guy but this unit was given to me 6 or 8 years ago. As far as I know these tubes are original.

At one point I got curious about the different sound quality potential of different tubes and another Audiogon member lent me a set of tubes to try out. I could definitely tell a difference but did not think the new ones sounded better than the original ones. I mention this because at that time the original tubes were quite old and still sounded quite good. And still do.

So, bottom line is, is there any real need to replace tubes on a schedule of some sort. Maybe its different if it is an amp versus a pre-amp?

 

n80
Post removed 
larsman's avatar
larsman
2,105 posts
 

I'd just as soon not replace my WE-300B's every year, thank you very much, unless Paul wants to gift me a pair annually.

It was a silly statement if that's what he said (I'm going by the comments, not the vid), with no consideration as to how long the tubes were actually on for.... 

larryi
4,135 posts
 

If you want really warm, and have deep pockets, I would say look for 5692 tubes.  They are drop in substitutions for 6SN7s.  My Audio Note Kageki amps came with these tubes, but I fooled around and ended up with Tungsol Roundplates which are not as warm sounding but I appreciated the greater clarity.  

rar1's avatar
rar1
1,802 posts
 

For background purposes, more on why Paul feels the way he does about tube replacement.  He covers it quite well.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPCPJ4tMr28

 

Rich 

sns
3,475 posts
 

Powering up is likely where the greatest stress is placed on tubes, equipment with soft start circuits and/or standby ability where heater always powered can be helpful . Seems ironic, but I'm most fearful with fresh new tubes, damage due to shipping or poor quality control is where most of my failures have occurred. Just experienced this with a new Western Electric 300B tube. 101D tubes are extremely fragile, 845 can be scary.

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