Useful Life of PreAmp Tubes.


I have a question to throw out to the forum. When a preamp is in "standby mode" is the rate of tube decay the same as full use of the unit? I am trying to determine when best to retube my BAT VK 31 SE. Any other BAT owners with some input?

Thanks as always for your help.
ck

Showing 3 responses by dgarretson

Elevick, It's difficult to generalize, as the life of a vacuum tube is determined by plate voltage and bias applied in situ. In my system the same model of 6SN7 tube can last 2k hours in one component, and up to 15k hours in another.
As best I recollect VK5i does not have a stand-by switch. In any case, I always powered off when not in use for more than several hours. Victor at BAT will likely respond to a direct query.
I retubed VK5i about every 2k hours and always heard improvement. Preamp tubes may survive for 10k hours, but not without sonic degradation.