How do you know when tubes are done?


I have a homemade pre-amp and amp - both tubed.Recently, it became necessary to turn the volume  up quite a bit to get the same sound level.It still sounds good but I started to wonder if a tube or two was the culprit. The tubes are about 8 or 9 years old and  get light to medium use.
Suggestions?

steamboy

Showing 4 responses by steamboy

Thanks everybody for the help.

Now I have to find a tube store!

And check the power supply!

I didn't make these myself. My landlord, David Yee, built these from scratch. He gave me several amps and pre amps to try and I picked the ones I liked best.

I can find no trace of him now and I wonder if he's back in Hong Kong.

He found Vancouver "too slow"! He called himself "DavidYeeAudio"


to Millercarbon,David doesn't have regular products. Each one is different to some degree. He's always trying to get the best sound. The best sound I heard was from a SET design but bass was weak. He's really more interested in circuit tweaking and very minimalist designs. On/off toggle and volume knob only. He has to sell them to recoup the money spent on his 'hobby'.He might still be on Facebook but I don't use it. Can someone check, please?
I just got a pair of Klipsch RP-600M horn speakers. Very sensitive.Good sound and a good bargain, I would say
Thanks Pixelreffic,
I will trundle off to my local repair shop.
And get the rest of the amp tested as well.
I am not a tube geek. I know nothing.