The life expectancy of electrostatic panels depend on the specific models and operating conditions. The Martin Logan panels do not arc and they do not develop holes in the diaphragm from arcing. In that respect the panels are MUCH more durable than are the panels on Quad speakers. However, the Martin Logan panels can be susceptible to to the wires that bring the charge to the panels corroding at the point where the wires attach to the panel. I know someone who suffered from this problem because he stored his speakers in a garage that gets quite humid in the summer. Owners in humid Southeast Asian countries also have reported similar problems with Martin Logan panels. Otherwise, the Martin Logan panels seem to be quite long-lived.
How long does it take a decent quality speaker to "wear out"?
After all, they do have moving parts and capacitors. . . .
(I suppose that "decent quality" s a relative term. FTR, I am running a pair of the older B&W 805s, and for all I know, they may not actually meet the criteria of "decent quality.")
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@dekay , thanks for asking. Well, I went on a used 5AR4 buying binge of sorts --a UK Amperex, a Holland Amperex, and a Hitachi/(Matsushita?); and I have a Gold Lion I bought prior to that and the original Sovtec, so if nothing else, (given my age) I hopefully have a life time supply. But of the three used tubes I bought I have only got around to running the UK Amperex, and I am liking the way everything is sounding for me right now. But the thing is, I had the Gold Lion in before I put the UK Amperex in, and I thought it sound good with that and I never felt any sense of sonic revelation when I swapped it out. And the same applies to the Sovtec that I swapped out. I hate to say it, but maybe I don't have the ears for this. |
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