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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
dave_b's avatar
dave_b
3,159 posts
 
Oh my God, just listen to your tubes and get off already! Some tubes, most tubes, your tubes, my ex-tubes, her tubes, tubes tied...what the freakin' hell, are you guys for real? Most tubes "I've" owned and or listened to. I had ARC reference gear in one rig...don't even get me started on that horrid 6H30 tube:O( Did I mention I am around live music almost everyday? It aint tubelike and it aint SS...it's real.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,095 posts
 
"Just listen to your tubes and get off already...."

Try these:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dF2WcrdxdQ
magfan
1,583 posts
 
Tube simply don't like some highly reactive loads. Some speakers, even some with benign impedance curves and medium and higher sensitivity won't mate well with tubes due to high phase angles.
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
Dave changes components more than he changes underwear.

Read his posting history, it's all there.

This clearly indicates his lack of understanding and inexperience regarding our audio hobby. He has no idea where he's going, only where he's been.

His advice and comments cannot be taken seriously as other posters have illustrated so succinctly using his words.
dave_b's avatar
dave_b
3,159 posts
 
So experience and the means to experiment indicates less understanding? You should work for Obama you nutball. This is becoming ridiculous. Why do some people have to shore up their emotional inadequacies at the expense of others? Audiofeil is THEE person who uses other peoples responses (out of context of course)as an excuse for an answer. Check HIS postings for anything helpful, useful or even remotely original. I enjoyed all of my gear and was fortunate enough to be able to play around quite a bit. Now I have more responsibilities and less expendable cash. I was not picking on anyone or attacking anyone. Enjoy what you have while you can...life is so fleeting:O)
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