2. amps-preamps
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How do I break in a tube amplifier?

I should be taking delivery of my Yaqin MC-30L tube amplifier this weekend. I believe the dealer is going to set it up and bias it and may even let it run for a few hours before I pick it up. It's going to be a 2nd system sharing speakers with my primary home theater system so I will have few opportunities to leave it running for extended periods of time.

Does it do any good to just leave the amplifier turned on or does it actually need to by playing music?
mceljo
mceljo OP
1,357 posts
 
As a follow up question. I know that tube amplifiers need to warm up before sounding their best, but is it necessary to warm them up to avoid damage? If so, what's a general guideline for doing so?
polk432
1,142 posts
 
Always make sure you have speakers hooked up to a tube amp, turn it on last, when starting up, turn it off first,when shutting down. Let it warm up for a few minutes then play music. You should run the amp at least 3 hours or not use it. When you shut it down, leave it off for about 3 hours before turning it back on, and never leave it unattended. You should be fine. Have fun, tubes are great.
wolf_garcia
6,734 posts
 
Note that it's OK to leave it unattended when it's not on. Waiting 3 hours to turn it on after turning it off is silly. Tube amps, if designed and built properly, are tough little buggers and don't need nearly as much pampering as many think. My experience says you should simply enjoy the damn thing and it will "break in" from listening to it, and might last longer than you with less upkeep.
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