Audio Research D-115 half tube install question


Hi, HIFI folks.
This is my first Audiogon thread, kind of excited.
I have a ARC D115 tube amp, it is very sweet and I like the tube sound. Only thing bothers me is the heat and power usage, it is hot and >5 amp current even at a small level. I use it to power a small bookshelf and the volume is not high as I like vocal music or simple classic.
It has 8 of 6550s, and more than 100w per channel, that is huge for tube amps. I heard from a friend that I can remove half of the tubes if I don't need that much power. I think it is true as it is in parallel push and pull. Just like the D70, uses 2 tubes on each channel.
My question is which 4 tubes I should pull to make it half power. Do I need to do anything else after I pull them? Any shortage or will reduce the sound quality?
Any idea and advise? I appreciate all input.
128x128nhe261

Showing 1 response by wolf_garcia

Amazingly, I once removed half of the 4 power tubes in a Fender Twin Reverb
guitar amp and and it still worked fine, albeit not as loudly...we didn't know...I
would never do that today.