2. amps-preamps
  3. 1242233298

What do you see as the downside of tubes?

I have decided on getting a tube amp and it will be the integrated Mastersound 300B driving a pair of Living Voice Avatars, so at least that decision has been taken.

My main question is what you see as downsides of having a tube amp. As I've decided on getting an integrated tube it's really about what the downsides are I might want to know about beforehand.

The ones I'm aware are the following.

-The tubes need to be replaced and in the case of a 300B this will be somewhat costly.

-Bias is another issue but I'm not sure how big an issue. Do you plug in your meter every so often or just when you roll tubes or replace a dead one? The meter as such isn't gonna be a big issue as I don't think it's that expensive.

-Heat won't be a big issue as we have no kids nor a nosy dog that could get burned. Hope my electricity bill isn't gonna go through the roof, but then again, I can't quite imagine that.

I'd appreciate if you could add whatever your experiences are regarding this question are as I'd like to know more before I buy it.

Thanks
krauti
foster_9
1,638 posts
 
my twin boys grew up with big tube amps sitting on the floor, wide open without cage. no, they never got burn.

my friend puts it best. if you can train a tiger to perform in circus, you can train your kids not to touch the tubes. 05-15-09:Semi

Obviously your boys are the exception rather than the norm. But for many of us taking the chance you took would be a bad idea.
krauti OP
46 posts
 
I'd rather have a hot tube amp than a tiger. The thing with the tiger didn't go so well for Siegfried and Roy.

Well, think the thread has come to an end and I appreciate all the replies. Glad I didn't change my decision on the amp as an extra heater in the room isn't so bad. Being a mechanical engineer I might just need to design some contraption that channels the heat and put it to good use. Maybe a coated aluminum plate above the amp to fry eggs or so.
rleff
1,065 posts
 
Krauti- It was a good thread;enjoy the new gear;fun wasn't it and don't forget to spray pam on the frying pan.
krauti OP
46 posts
 
Rleff, thanks for the suggestion :) I might have to think about a drip can so I don't get burnt fat spots on the tubes.
johnk's avatar
johnk
1,975 posts
 
Most lower watt SETs are not hot running. Room warmer far from it. Runs about as hot as any large class ab or class a SS amp.
More to discover