Not a good idea to leave any valve kit on 24/7 IMO.
Printable View
Not a good idea to leave any valve kit on 24/7 IMO.
Those 509's are just so practical - you can expect many years of trouble free music. No worries.
If you ask Tim De P about re-tubing he says ' If it's working and doesn't hum or buzz, leave it alone '.......:lolsign:
I completely agree. All you're doing is wasting electricity and vastly shortening the life of your valves!Quote:
Originally Posted by Ali Tait
Marco.
When I visited Castle Marco, you told me that you kept your valve gear on all the time. Or did I hear you incorrectly?Quote:
Originally Posted by Marco
Regards
Lol - you heard incorrectly!
I only keep the solid-state stuff permanently switched on (CD transport, DAC, tuner and PSU for the Techy). The valve amps are only switched on when they're being used. Both the Croft and copper amp only take 20 mins or so to fully come on song, so there's no major warm-up issues :)
Marco.
When you say "the valve amps are only switched on when they're being used", do you mean switched on from cold or is it just the HT that is switched on?Quote:
Originally Posted by Marco
Regards
Since posting my findings I've come across other references to a burn-in/settling down time for valves (of weeks in some cases, but obviously depends upon usage). One of these was from the States, so it would seem to be a fairly recognisable phenomenon.
Everything else seems to need a 'burn-in' period (odd phrasal verb, that, esp. when used for cables!), so it all seems quite logical to me.
Hi Barry,
Initially switched on from cold. I will knock the HT off though if I leave them for a bit while I'm doing something else :)Quote:
When you say "the valve amps are only switched on when they're being used", do you mean switched on from cold or is it just the HT that is switched on?
However in answer to the thread question, from experience, I would say categorically "yes".
In my experience, most components used in a hi-fi system benefit from 'running-in': from cables to equipment (valves included), to loudspeaker drive units - all sorts!
Marco.
Marco, you're quite wrong you know..................
Running in indeed - never heard such nonsense :rolleyes: ;)
Well I must be cloth-eared also then,cos I'd say stuff definately runs in,including valves.If you are sceptical,go to hifi collective and purchase some ESA Clarity Caps.Stick them in a valve amp and then listen to sound going all over the place for the next fortnight or so.One minute screechy as hell,the next loads of bass and no top end.I thought there was something wrong with them at first,but they did settle down eventually,and now sound very nice indeed.