Valve amp running costs

[paulf-2007]

Smart meters? Just another layer of things to worry about! It's bad enough that folk angst about getting enough 'likes' on their inane posts!

When the monitor started flashing red I unplugged it. Obviously we will use more energy in the winter I don't need reminding, just send me the bill.

[paulf-2007]

It's bad enough that folk angst about getting enough 'likes' on their inane posts!

snowflake alert

[Barry]

Indeed they would! Sorry should have specified speakers (63's). Silly of me considering this is an amp thread . . .

Think they consume quite a lot during charge up but once fully charged they are very low on consumption.

Apart from two house moves, and a couple of power cuts, my Quad 57s have been constantly powered up for the last 45 years. Let's see at 6W per speaker, that's 4733.64 kW hours, which at 12p per unit is just over £568.

Then there are the preamplifiers, phonostages and CDPs which are left on 'standby' when not in use.

But I won't mention my class A power amplifiers - they have a standing (idling) dissipation of 800W. Not only are they switched off when not in use, but are only used in the winter months. Something more efficient is used in summer.

[Barry]

That's the only factor I consider to be honest. Pre tubes etc could be good for 10,000 hours but output tubes could go in less than 2000.

At least my Quads only cost a penny an hour on tick over . . . .

I have heard of valve (tube) enthusiasts annually replacing their output valves.

[Made in 1968]

Apart from two house moves, and a couple of power cuts, my Quad 57s have been constantly powered up for the last 45 years. Let's see at 6W per speaker, that's 4733.64 kW hours, which at 12p per unit is just over £568.

Then there are the preamplifiers, phonostages and CDPs which are left on 'standby' when not in use.

But I won't mention my class A power amplifiers - they have a standing (idling) dissipation of 800W. Not only are they switched off when not in use, but are only used in the winter months. Something more efficient is used in summer.

Never thought i would ever see you buy anyting other than the old Quads you used!

[Barry]

Never thought i would ever see you buy anyting other than the old Quads you used!

Oh - I still have a pair of 303s, three (modified) 405s, a pair of 'monoblocked' 405s (modified to Keith Snook Level 3, with vastly improved power supplies), a pair of 510s and a 520f.

The 510s are used in place of the Levinson ML-2s during the summer.

[Made in 1968]

Saying that i never thought id use 70's Jap gear but would not use anything else now.. You ever use a Qwad 240?

[spendorman]

Oh - I still have a pair of 303s, three (modified) 405s, a pair of 'monoblocked' 405s (modified to Keith Snook Level 3, with vastly improved power supplies), a pair of 510s and a 520f.

The 510s are used in place of the Levinson ML-2s during the summer.

Where are the Quad II's?

[Made in 1968]

Even a dedicated Qwad fan has to admit they are best left turned off.

[spendorman]

I think they sound wonderful, but my ears are older than yours!