2. amps-preamps
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Firing up old tube amps. Should I worry?

Hey, I'm going to fire up a pair of World Audio Design KEL80 monoblocks I built probably 15 years ago. They probably haven't been on in 10+ years. Anything I should worry about? All parts used back then were new and good ones - may have upgraded the capacitors. I don't have a Variac, so I can't ramp up the voltage. They worked back then, but I'm just a little concerned they'll arc or something and blow my speakers.
128x128marlin38
marlin38's avatar
marlin38 OP
20 posts
 
Thanks for all your input. I'm running the left channel right now on a cheapo computer speaker. Seems fine, no weird popping noises or buzzing at start up. I think I'm in the clear on this one. I'm going to run it for about 15 minutes, shut it down and then do the same to the right monoblock.

Fingers crossed.
rrog
1,958 posts
 
It is always risky with equipment that hasn't been used for some time.
hhh
75 posts
 
Agreed bring them up using a variac.
marlin38's avatar
marlin38 OP
20 posts
 
Right channel works normally too. I'll try not to let another 10 years pass before I run them!
rrog
1,958 posts
 
I hope you had speakers connected to the amps when you turned them on.
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