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Vacuum Tube Break-in

Is there such a thing as tube break-in? I been laying with many tubes in about 20 tube amps for 40 years and never heard a difference in a new tube vs same tube with 50 hours use. I always bought and used NOS tubes, not used. I believe if a difference is heard with break-in, it is the placebo effect.

fisher_400
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fisher_400 OP
71 posts
 

Your link has nothing to do with tubes.

knotscott
806 posts
 

Yes, but how much sound difference there is varies with each brand and type, and is largely effected by the rest of the system, room, music source, and listening habits.

carlsbad's avatar
carlsbad
1,551 posts
 

I think burn-in is greatly exaggerated, especially in passive, not electronic equipment.  But tubes get hot and metals change when they glow.  I do believe tube burnin is significant...it isn't always positive.  

I put in a set of Russian tubes last week and they sounded best 10 minutes after I installed them.  Still good but I liked them best then.

Jerry

gladmo's avatar
gladmo
311 posts
 

In my experience, it can vary greatly from a minimal discernible effect during the first 50 hours to multiple drastic qualitative changes over the course of the first hour or two of usage.

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