Do new NOS tubes need break-in/running-in?


I have bought a few Mullard ECC88 NOS tubes and to my lousy ears, found no sonic differences between these and my current Amperex ECC88. Quads were used in my ARC LS-16 preamp.

If there is such a thing as break-in for tubes, will NOS tubes sound any different and/or better after break-in? If break-in is required for NOS tubes, what is the rough estimate for break-in period?

I have a strong feeling that I won't be able to get significant sound improvements/differences after prolonged listening hours. Maybe my preamp is not too susceptible to different tubes?

Any opinions or advice would be much appreciated.
ryder

Showing 2 responses by audiofeil

There's not a tube on the planet that needs 200 hours to break-in.

Perhaps the listener is acclimating to the new sonics as he hears familar software with different tubes.