10
Survival Tips For Tube Amplifiers:
To.prolong.tube.life,.observe.these.tips.and.recommendations:
•. Match.the.impedance.of.your.speaker.cabinet(s).to.your.amplifier..Improper.impedance.
matching.will.contribute.to.early.tube.degradation.and.may.cause.premature.tube.failure.
•. Make.sure.the.speaker(s).are.properly.connected.prior.to.turning.on.the.amplifier.
•. After.playing.the.amplifier,.allow.sufficient.time.for.it.to.properly.cool.down.prior.to.moving.
it..A.properly.cooled.amplifier.prolongs.tube.life.due.to.the.internal.components.being.less.
susceptible.to.the.damage.caused.by.vibration.
•. Allow.the.amplifier.to.warm.up.to.room.temperature.before.turning.it.on..The.heat.gener-
ated.by.the.tube.elements.can.crack.a.cold.glass.housing.
•. Replace.the.output.tube(s).before.the.performance.degrades.or.the.tubes.fail.completely..
Replace.the.tube(s).on.a.regular.basis.(at.least.once.per.year.or.as.often.as.every.4.to.6.
months.if.you.play.long.and.hard.every.day).
•. Always.have.the.bias.checked.after.replacing.the.output.tubes.(unless.the.amplifier.is.
equipped.with.“self-biasing.circuitry”)..This.should.be.done.ONLY.at.a.qualified.service.
center..Improper.biasing.could.result.in.the.tubes.running.too.hot,.which.greatly.reduces.
the.life.of.the.tubes.–.or.too.cold,.which.results.in.distorted.sound.regardless.of.level.
settings..Do.not.play.the.amplifier.if.it.exhibits.these.symptoms.–.get.the.bias.checked/
adjusted.immediately.to.prevent.tube.failure.and/or.other.damage.
•. If.the.locating.notch.on.the.base.of.a.power.tube.breaks.off,.replace.the.tube..This.signifi-
cantly.reduces.the.risk.of.damaging.your.amplifier.by.incorrectly.inserting.the.tube.
•. Protect.the.amplifier.from.dust.and.moisture..If.liquid.gets.into.the.amplifier.proper,.or.
if.the.amplifier.is.dropped.or.otherwise.mechanically.abused,.have.it.checked.out.at.an.
authorized.service.center.before.using.it.
•. Proper.maintenance.and.cleaning.in.combination.with.routine.checkups.by.your.authorized.
service.center.will.insure.the.best.performance.and.longest.life.from.your.amplifier.
CAUTION: Tube replacement should be performed only by qualified service personnel
who are familiar with the dangers of hazardous voltages that are typically present in
tube circuitry.
Important Information About Tubes and Tube Products (continued):
