Anodes have reached their operating temperature then the Anode
surfaces are not heated evenly yet; the “operating temperature” of the
tube is not reached yet. This causes undue stress on the tubes and
their related components inside the amp. One should therefore always
give the amp it’s much needed warm-up time, even if musical
inspiration hits with full force.
2.1.4 Operating Temperature
It will take a little more time after warm-up until everything inside the
amp is working in sync and to it’s fullest potential. A trained ear will
notice a slightly warmer tone and better complexity in tone after
playing the amp for a short while. It’s like warming up before running a
marathon. Get it?
2.1.5 Power Tube Life
The power tubes of your amplifier are subject to a certain aging
process. Once one of the tubes shows signs of aging, unreliability or
unusual noise, then we suggest that you replace all power tubes.
Matched tube sets wear relatively even, or so our experience
suggests. This means if one goes, the others are not far from meeting
the same fate.
The aging process manifests itself by a depletion of a thin layer of
Wolfram on the Anodes. This can take anywhere from 6 month to 3
years, depending on the amount of use of the amplifier. The amount
of wear is determined by the amount of performance that is asked
from the tube.
