intro to tubes

Yamski, I am new to this site but not new to audio. I make it a point to help the newbies. In answer to your quest for sites to learn, I suggest the following:

This is an introduction to tubes:
http://hem.passagen.se/sm0vpo/begin/tube0.htm

This is a nice site for the tube enthusist:
http://www.vacuumtube.com/

Enjoy the reasurch!

Yamski: You may also want to read through Audioasylum.com (the tube and SET asylums). I cannot think of any cut and dried answers to your questions, and you will see why after spending some time at these sites. When you get more involved and start selecting specific products, the AA site also has a "complete" word search feature which will help you to locate specific posts on a specific product or subject. Also ask here (at this site) about specific products and general compatiblity issues, when you are ready. Also make am effort to listen to various tube products (as many as possible as most sound different).

Designer bruce rosenblit (?) has several books on tube amps available on his site www.transcendantsound.com and from old colony, www.audioexpress.com which is a treasure house of books and parts

Hi Yamski, just a quick note to point out that not all tubed preamps need to be retubed each year. My Audio Research tube preamps (I've owned several) went for 3 and 4 years before I finally broke down and ordered more tubes (preamps tubes are cheap). I didn't keep them on unless I was listening. I now have an ARC tube amp and assume that it will need retubing more frequently, perhaps after a year to a year and a half (at a couple hundred dollars' cost).
I had always been solid state till now, and ADORE the tube sound, at least of the ARC gear. Rich bass, deep velvet midrange and highs. Great!

There's info at tube seller Kevin Deal's commercial website: www.upscaleaudio.com. Go to the main page, click on the "Rare Tubes" button.