Tube amps and loads.


My search may have not contained correct phrasing for an answer.
So to you guys;

I have a Scott 299 & 299b. Both restored about 1 1/2 years ago. Unfortunately circumstances have precluded playing with them.
I asked one of our esteemed audio nuts if they needed to be brought up on a variac, answer was no although if I were more comfortable it wouldn't hurt.

Question; if I did use a variac do they need speakers hooked up, or a resistor of some type.

I have read here if amps are powered with no signal a load is unnecessary.
And others have said load is necessary.
Please help.

Best,
Dave
corazon
I have a Scott 299B and like it a lot. If your restoration is about 1 1/2 years old, I would not worry about using a variac, however, I never power up any tube amp without a load connected. You are going to like that 299B. BTW: Do not use EL-84's in the 299B, use 7189's. These can be expensive, however Jim McShane has the Russian 6P14P-EB which is a direct replacement for the 7189, they are affordable and sound great. I replaced my quad set of Telefunken 7189's with them!
7189 Telefunkens are great choice for this unit. They bring a few more watts to the output power vs. EL84's.
Agree with Marakanetz. I have used both telefunken 7189 and russian NOS 7189 and there is no comparison. The Telefunken's made the Scott sing!