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Thread: Salesmen

  1. #1
    Join Date: Dec 2015

    Location: Alicante. Spain.

    Posts: 1,885
    I'm Adrian.

    Default Salesmen

    I recently put down a payment on a second hand valve amp, advertised as less than 350 hours use on the valves. As I'm on the point of completing payment I asked for confirmation that all was as it should be - and was told I'd need new valves as the originals had been used hard. I don't get why people can't just be honest at the outset. The amp.is less than 5 years old so other than buggered valves should be okay in other respects... I'm hoping.
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  2. #2
    Join Date: Oct 2012

    Location: The Black Country

    Posts: 6,089
    I'm Alan.

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    Used hard? Depends on the amp as to whether the valves are used hard.

    What amp and valves is it Adrian?

  3. #3
    Join Date: Dec 2015

    Location: Alicante. Spain.

    Posts: 1,885
    I'm Adrian.

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    ARC ref 75, kt120's. Sorry just checked
    email again - 'well used'. I don't mind that - but it's miles apart from 350 hours lol
    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

  4. #4
    Join Date: Aug 2008

    Location: Suffolk, UK

    Posts: 1,473
    I'm Paul.

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    The ARC KT120s should be good for 5000 hours so if knackered after 350 hours this would mean it has had the b0ll0cks thrashed out of it, like a used Fiesta XR2. I’m not saying this is case, just that something doesn’t seem to add up with the guys storey. ARC stuff tends to be battleship build quality, so other than the valves the rest of it should be solid.
    ~Paul~

  5. #5
    Join Date: Apr 2016

    Location: Bishops Stortford

    Posts: 1,250
    I'm Chris.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Primalsea View Post
    The ARC KT120s should be good for 5000 hours so if knackered after 350 hours this would mean it has had the b0ll0cks thrashed out of it, like a used Fiesta XR2. .
    Just interested to know how one can thrash a valve in a known good circuit.

  6. #6
    Join Date: Nov 2008

    Location: North Down /Northern Ireland/ UK

    Posts: 19,484
    I'm Neil.

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    If lying about the valves, what else are they lying about. My advice, avoid.
    Regards Neil

  7. #7
    Join Date: Aug 2008

    Location: Suffolk, UK

    Posts: 1,473
    I'm Paul.

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    Quote Originally Posted by bumpy View Post
    Just interested to know how one can thrash a valve in a known good circuit.
    If it has been used a PA Levels continuously, especially if used with fairly reactive or low ohm speakers. Also the bias on thes amps can be adjusted by the user via little holes in the front plate. Sometimes people have strange ideas and set the bias current far too high. Or if you are John Cleese you can beat them with a leafy branch.
    ~Paul~

  8. #8
    Join Date: Dec 2008

    Location: East Riding of Yorkshire these days

    Posts: 4,779
    I'm Shaun.

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    Surely if any valve amplifier runs its valves at close to their operating limit they are never going to last very long independent of whether it is at high volume or not...?

  9. #9
    Join Date: Dec 2008

    Location: East Riding of Yorkshire these days

    Posts: 4,779
    I'm Shaun.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Primalsea View Post
    Also the bias on thes amps can be adjusted by the user via little holes in the front plate. Sometimes people have strange ideas and set the bias current far too high.
    Yeah, that's kind of what I meant


  10. #10
    Audio Al is offline Pishanto Specialist & Super-Daftee
    Join Date: May 2012

    Location: Dagenham Essex

    Posts: 11,215
    I'm Allen.

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    Quote Originally Posted by farflungstar View Post
    I recently put down a payment on a second hand valve amp, advertised as less than 350 hours use on the valves. As I'm on the point of completing payment I asked for confirmation that all was as it should be - and was told I'd need new valves as the originals had been used hard. I don't get why people can't just be honest at the outset. The amp.is less than 5 years old so other than buggered valves should be okay in other respects... I'm hoping.
    Knock them hard on the purchase price for a full overhaul
    [

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