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Thread: Do old valves need running in?

  1. #1
    Join Date: Dec 2015

    Location: Alicante. Spain.

    Posts: 1,885
    I'm Adrian.

    Default Do old valves need running in?

    I had a pair of Shuguang 6SL7G Treasure series valves in my Cary's until one of them started emitting a very high pitched squeal (not microphony). I pulled them out and put them in a drawer which was a shame as I thought they sounded very good indeed (better than RCA etc). Since that time I've been running a lovely pair of vintage Tung Sols bought from a member of this parish and have been very happy with their open airy sound, good bass but also a slight hardness in the mid. So yesterday for some reason I decided to try the Shuguangs and put them in - no squealing but also weak bass and a degree of confusion soundstage wise. Basically not how I remembered them. As they've been in a drawer for around 4 months my question is do they need running in again? Or is my memory fooling me?
    Technics SP10 mk2
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    Siggwan (gimballed not unipivot) Cocobola 12"
    Aurorasound Vida LCR Phonostage
    The Truth linestage
    Dave Slagle Autoformer Volume Controller
    Cary 805c SET amps
    Audio Note ANe-SPX speakers
    Townshend Isolda speaker cables
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  2. #2
    danilo Guest

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by farflungstar View Post
    Basically not how I remembered them. As they've been in a drawer for around 4 months my question is do they need running in again? Or is my memory fooling me?
    Beginings of Wisdom therin.

  3. #3
    Join Date: Jan 2013

    Location: Bristol

    Posts: 6,843
    I'm Justin.

    Default

    Self-Analyse.

  4. #4
    Join Date: Dec 2015

    Location: Alicante. Spain.

    Posts: 1,885
    I'm Adrian.

    Default

    Well the answer is yes. After a couple of days the Treasure 6sl7's came back on song. Wow. Some great listening - better depth, slightly sweeter highs - until today when the same tube began emitting the same high pitched whine. Bugger. So out they came and back in went the tung sols.

    This has confirmed how great the Treasure 6sl7's are - but I don't wanna blow 290$ for one of them to go tits up again. Hmmmmm....
    Technics SP10 mk2
    Jan Allaerts MC 1 Boron mk1 cart
    Miyajima Shilabe cart
    Hashimoto HM-X SUT
    Siggwan (gimballed not unipivot) Cocobola 12"
    Aurorasound Vida LCR Phonostage
    The Truth linestage
    Dave Slagle Autoformer Volume Controller
    Cary 805c SET amps
    Audio Note ANe-SPX speakers
    Townshend Isolda speaker cables
    Cardas Golden Presence interconnects

  5. #5
    Join Date: Oct 2012

    Location: NE England

    Posts: 4,173
    I'm Jez.

    Default

    Very old valves can need "running in", more a case of hoping the gettering will absorb any gases released from the internal structure over time really, and not always successfully. We're talking valves over 25 years old here and usually more like 50 though.
    Arkless Electronics-Engineered to be better. Tel. 01670 530674 (after 1pm)

    Modded Thorens TD150, Audio Technica AT-1005 MkII, Technics EPC-300MC, Arkless Hybrid MC phono stage, Arkless passive pre, Arkless 50WPC Class A SS power amp, (or) Arkless modded Leak Stereo 20, Modded Kef Reference 105/3's
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  6. #6
    Join Date: Dec 2015

    Location: Alicante. Spain.

    Posts: 1,885
    I'm Adrian.

    Default

    Well the treasures aren't that old jez but they changed significantly over a couple of days - no not accusomisation. I'm a bit pissed as the whine didn't happen for the last week of play - until today! Bugger.
    Technics SP10 mk2
    Jan Allaerts MC 1 Boron mk1 cart
    Miyajima Shilabe cart
    Hashimoto HM-X SUT
    Siggwan (gimballed not unipivot) Cocobola 12"
    Aurorasound Vida LCR Phonostage
    The Truth linestage
    Dave Slagle Autoformer Volume Controller
    Cary 805c SET amps
    Audio Note ANe-SPX speakers
    Townshend Isolda speaker cables
    Cardas Golden Presence interconnects

  7. #7
    Join Date: Oct 2012

    Location: The Black Country

    Posts: 6,089
    I'm Alan.

    Default

    With nothing to lose Adrian put the offending valve in the freezer for a day, take it out until room temp, then repeat.

    See if it still whines afterwards, if so use as an ornament

  8. #8
    Join Date: Dec 2015

    Location: Alicante. Spain.

    Posts: 1,885
    I'm Adrian.

    Default

    Really - freezer? ok will try that.
    Technics SP10 mk2
    Jan Allaerts MC 1 Boron mk1 cart
    Miyajima Shilabe cart
    Hashimoto HM-X SUT
    Siggwan (gimballed not unipivot) Cocobola 12"
    Aurorasound Vida LCR Phonostage
    The Truth linestage
    Dave Slagle Autoformer Volume Controller
    Cary 805c SET amps
    Audio Note ANe-SPX speakers
    Townshend Isolda speaker cables
    Cardas Golden Presence interconnects

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