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When to change your amplifiers tubes?

I've had the same tubes in my amplifier (Audio Research VT100 MkII) for at least three (maybe four) years now (I'm guessing that I average about 7 - 10 hours a week listening time). The amp sounds good to me, but I'm wondering if it's just because I've become use to the sound. It's going to cost me anywhere from $750 to $1,000 to retube my amp, so I don't want to retube it unless it is time to. So here are my questions:
What audible signs do you hear that indicate it is time to retube?
Should I consider retubing just the power tubes, and wait to retube the input tubes?
Any thoughts you'd like to share with me will be greatly appreciated!
louisl

Showing 1 response by lapierre

lapierre
547 posts
 
Popping. Cracking. And then my fuse clipped days later.

The driver tubes effect the sonics the most so try changing them first.

Spent $800 plus on 2 Quads of Genalex Gold Lion KT88/6550 and 12 Mullard 12AX7 types.

And for something different try EAT KT88 Diamond-Quad.
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