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When do you turn off the tubes?

Having had recent surgery and spending a lot of time at home, I was wondering how long a break from music do you feel you need to be taking before turning off your tube amplifier.I could leave it on all day even when not listening but that would be 12+hours/day.While my PrimaLuna Dialogue HP is gentle on tubes, the thought of retubing 8 KT150s is an expensive prospect.I usually turn the amplifier off if I am not going to listen for around 3 hours.What do other people do?

crwindy
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simao's avatar
simao
1,819 posts
 
I see tubes like I see an oven: if I'm home, then they're on. If I'm away for a few hours or not listening for the same amount, then they're off. 

They're energy-sucking, heat-emitting components and I have more peace of mind when they're on if I'm around. 
midareff1
182 posts
 
My pre (ARC Classic) sounds at it's best with tubes that have become almost unobtainium. There are no NOS Siemens & Halske 6922 Cca Grey Plates left in this world as far as I'm concerned. ..  except maybe the couple hiding in my closet.  Not listening for ten minutes, off it goes.
schubert
7,386 posts
 
True for most amps , there is no really NOS stock  and much of what is availiable is fake .
When the power tubes on my little 30watt Cary go, thats the end of tubes for me .Guys say this and that 6550 is good but if you ever owned a quad of Sylvania from the 50's you know they ain't .
wolf_garcia
6,695 posts
 
I think it's a really bad idea to turn a tube amp off while listening to it. That's just me maybe, but it seems to really effect the sound.
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