2. amps-preamps
  3. 1137797867

Tube Break-In sound character change

I just spent over $600 on a set (4) of Sophia Electric 300B 2.5v Princess tubes for my Wright Sound Mono 10 amps, but so far much prefer the sound of the much cheaper EH Gold 2A3 tubes. These Sophia tubes have gotten very good reviews on these pages. The question is: how much does the sound character change as the tubes break in? I have only about 4 hours on the new tubes, but so far they sound a little tizzy and less rich than the EH tubes. I'm surprised, because I thought than right out of the box they should have the EH tubes beat. Will they change just a bit, or fairly dramatically with use?
smeyers
eee3
214 posts
 
For tubes to fully break-in takes at least 75- 100 hrs.
Four hrs. is not nearly enough time!! I guarantee you that you'll hear a big difference after 50 hrs.
smeyers OP
181 posts
 
>>You replaced 2A3's with 300B's??? I dont' think break-in is at issue here, but compatibility<<

They are 2.5v 300B's made to replace 2A3's.

www.sophiaelectric.com/pages/se/princess_300b_25v.htm
smeyers OP
181 posts
 
Thanks Larry & Eee. I can already hear it is a bit better. As I mentioned, I just thought that out of the box they would be better than what it was replacing... I suppose not.
herman
2,290 posts
 
The 300B will definitely sound different than the 2A3, but whether they "beat" the 2A3 is a matter of taste. Even after the 300B has broken in you may find you pefer the sound of the 2A3.
strapper211
119 posts
 
Hi,I changed the driver tubes on my cat amps to 40 year old nos amperex and telefunken,they sound a tad forward and aggressive after 20 hours.Will they break-in and how long will it take.

Thanks
More to discover