Tubes at idle


Do preamp tubes (12AU7) get consumed at idle as fast as they do with music going through them?
koestner

Showing 2 responses by wolf_garcia

I'm no expert but I bet they do since the glowing electrodes are still glowing and that doesn't change much when music is playing...isn't idle current still current? I'm amazed at how long the damn things last , and turn mine off when not around in case one wants to explode.
Regarding tube amp care, I've used a 1960 Fender Deluxe tube guitar amp for maybe 50 years with varying degrees of on and offness and it works perfectly. Changed the tubes a few times over the years...but still. Also used dozens of other tube amps that were dragged everywhere for decades, dropped from loading ramps (thank you Anvil case), and otherwise abused...almost no issues. I have "soft start" features in my hifi rig in the power conditioner, preamp, and tube power amp, which I think provides all the mollycoddling and pampering the damn things deserve. Off when I'm not around, on when I am. I suggest people turn things off when not around just to keep from being wasteful boneheads or, if you do subscribe to the "leave it on" school of thought, don't admit it.