2. amps-preamps
  3. 1030236932

Do new tubes undergo break-in like other devices?

I just put a new pair of Mullard Ecc34 (should be 6sn7s) tubes in the r/l inputs on my BAT VK60. These are the 2 most importants positions for BAT amps.

Part of it sounds wonderful...back of the soundstage, instrument separation, dynamics, articulation in the bass. Oh, and much queiter.

However, I don't think they have as much gain, I have to turn up the volume some on the preamp, and the bass is much lower vs the other parts. Kind of like a new power cord...needs time to open up. I can deal with the gain, not sure about the bass. This may just be a system matching thing, works great for some, not for me.

Is it break-in related?
128x128jfrech
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
here is my conclusion...

tubes do not break-in they start to work out their life time just from the moment you turn your amp(s) on. within the time to the end of tube life tubes sound dull and mushy and certainly need to be replaced.

next thing you do is you change tubz and certainly you need some time to adopt to them since they do sound different from your previous setup and certainly brighter. within "n" hours you will get used to it.
wehamilton
65 posts
 
Dozer, yes, wall outlets open up. I had an FIM 880 that started out OK for my system, but got progressively brighter over the course of 4 or 5 weeks. I finally had to take it out. I sold it to my buddy with a tube system and he loves it.

Also, power cords do break-in as well, but usually faster than other components.
dozer
15 posts
 
Astonishing that you could attribute the brightness in your system to a wall outlet that had gradually broken in. My hat's off to your aural acuity and deductive powers. Well done... For me probably wouldn't help because darn if I can't keep the rest of the environment exactly the same week-to-week... I'd never think to switch out my wall outlet for tone control.
plangco's avatar
plangco
158 posts
 
An ECC34 has different specs than a 6SN7. That may be causing the difference, although I have read that it will substitute.
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