In the end, we usually are alerted to the possibility that a tube or tubes are failing by the fact that the our system sounds "off", not as good as usual. Only then are we motivated to test tubes. At that point, if any tubes measure low in transconductance, I ditch them in favor of new. That nearly always results in restoration of SQ. I own an ancient Hickok 533A, which I can use to test small signal dual triodes only, to include octal based tubes like the 6SN7 and 6SL7, and it is not much good for testing modern very high transconductance triodes like the 5687 group or the 6DJ8 group, because of its current limitations. I just shoot for an approximation of "good" with those. The 533A is no good at all for testing the monster 7241 triodes in my power amplifiers, and for that I just go by listening and then measuring the tubes in situ. The 7241 is a US milspec power triode developed for use in radar installations. It can easily run on up to 1A plate current, although I do not stress them that much.
Does tube testers tell how much life is left for tubes?
Let's say that you have new tubes, very old tubes that are almost to die, and something in the middle.
What kinds of reading do you expect from these three kinds?
Can you usually tell the life of tubes from tube testers?
How about the color? Do those three kinds of tubes have different colors when they were turned on?
I would like to know when to change tubes before it gets too late.
Some says if it sounds good, don't bother to change.
Some brands of power/pre amps consume more on tubes than other brands and their life seems varies brand by brand.
What kinds of reading do you expect from these three kinds?
Can you usually tell the life of tubes from tube testers?
How about the color? Do those three kinds of tubes have different colors when they were turned on?
I would like to know when to change tubes before it gets too late.
Some says if it sounds good, don't bother to change.
Some brands of power/pre amps consume more on tubes than other brands and their life seems varies brand by brand.
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- 14 posts total
- 14 posts total