1. Home
  2. tech-talk
  3. 164480-157369

rule of thumb: how long do you leave a tube preamp on versus turning it off then back on?

I just upgraded to an Audio Research REF 10 with 12 tubes and I am wondering how to best preserve the tubes. How long sitting turned on is equal to the wear and tear of turning it off then on again? I had a Rogue RP 7 with just four tubes so I didn't worry about this issue so much, I just turned it on when I began to listen then off at the end of the evening. Now I'm wondering where the sweet spot is? Away for a hour, two, three, turn it off when? Am I over-thinking this issue?
wokeuptobose
tomcy6's avatar
tomcy6
2,688 posts
 
I suggest that you call AR and do what they tell you.  This question comes up frequently and advice is all over the place on it. 

I'd also start saving up for a set of replacement tubes.  Not that you need to worry about them, but it will be nice to have the money set aside when you do need them.
jjss49's avatar
jjss49
6,934 posts
 
30 min turn on for me, prior to listening intently
noromance's avatar
noromance
10,512 posts
 
20 minutes warm up for me including turntable does the trick. But, it all sounds so much better after about 6 hours. Turn off when done. Best not to leave powered up tube gear unattended.
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
6,214 posts
 
+1 @ millercarbon

HOW DO I KNOW WHEN MY TUBES NEED REPLACING?

Power tubes like EL34’s and KT88’s are good for about 2500 hours or more. But may go longer in an amplifier with a conservative design. Small signal tubes with numbers like 12AX7, 12AU7, and 6922, and rectifier tubes like 5AR4 may go 10,000 hours. So you get years and years of enjoyment. Using a tube tester may or may not tell you if you need a replacement. The best approach is to buy a new set of tubes, and install them. If they don’t sound a lot better, put in the old ones and suck every bit of life out of them.




petg60
1,486 posts
 
Use and enjoy what you paid for, you knew that tubes wear out.
Just power them off at end of each session. It is not wise to leave them on and be away for some time. Normally a tube will last longer in hours if not switched on and off but a year has approx 9000hrs so you will need replacements at least twice a year if left on all the time. Otherwise with normal use replacement would take place every 2-3 years.

G

More to discover