Tube Amps ........ No Love ?

[Doge]

@dodge. Greetings and Salutations.
...But the MB-450's price jumped from around $7.5k to $20k. (Too rich for my blood.)

Thank you. This, replaced my Plantronic's headset. It is a work setup, 100% for work. I just want it as nice as I can get it.

It does not take all that much money to be beyond my ability to hear things (I'm thinking that may be less true than thought). I prioritize things like ambiance, the service, the craftsmanship, the tube swapping options. I may go SS on another big room, but for now - I need a little more than headphone amp power.

BTW - Avatar is Doge, not like the car.

 

[Ridire Fáin]

BTW - Avatar is Doge, not like the car


Got it. You have my apologies and thank you. My typing and spelling suck.

 

[MrBoat]

I had use of a Dynaco for a spell from my friend's dad. I loved the sound of it but it made me nervous using it incase something happened to it so I promptly returned it, even after he insisted I use it. I had it as a reference at least. Still, the differences are "user" in my situation. As soon as I get used to a good amp, whether it be the Pass, older integrated, high end stuff, or my Denon AVR, it's good enough. The damned Denon holds it's own against the best. I cannot argue with that.

The Pass kit is as charming and even heats the room up. The better part being, I am betting the SS version being a bit more reliable/consistent over time. The tube gig would have me questioning the lifespan of the tubes, and I would end up changing them prematurely. I would know this, and it would prompt me to keep the old tubes too, just in case.

 

[slipperybidness]

I had use of a Dynaco for a spell from my friend's dad. I loved the sound of it but it made me nervous using it incase something happened to it so I promptly returned it, even after he insisted I use it. I had it as a reference at least. Still, the differences are "user" in my situation. As soon as I get used to a good amp, whether it be the Pass, older integrated, high end stuff, or my Denon AVR, it's good enough. The damned Denon holds it's own against the best. I cannot argue with that.

The Pass kit is as charming and even heats the room up. The better part being, I am betting the SS version being a bit more reliable/consistent over time. The tube gig would have me questioning the lifespan of the tubes, and I would end up changing them prematurely. I would know this, and it would prompt me to keep the old tubes too, just in case.

You can find tube testers, then you know for sure.

Just add to the OCD

 

[highfigh]

I had use of a Dynaco for a spell from my friend's dad. I loved the sound of it but it made me nervous using it incase something happened to it so I promptly returned it, even after he insisted I use it. I had it as a reference at least. Still, the differences are "user" in my situation. As soon as I get used to a good amp, whether it be the Pass, older integrated, high end stuff, or my Denon AVR, it's good enough. The damned Denon holds it's own against the best. I cannot argue with that.

The Pass kit is as charming and even heats the room up. The better part being, I am betting the SS version being a bit more reliable/consistent over time. The tube gig would have me questioning the lifespan of the tubes, and I would end up changing them prematurely. I would know this, and it would prompt me to keep the old tubes too, just in case.

Good tubes are very easy to find, tube amps are very easy to repair and if you want to know what is involved, go to online DIY and tube audio forums and groups. As far as reliability, most issues are from electrolytic capacitors failing, often from sitting idle for decades. These are cheap and easy to replace, but it's necessary to know what's happening- high DC voltage can be lethal.

More reliable? I have a lap steel guitar amp that's 80 years old and it still works- I replaced the power cord because the rubber had fallen apart near the plug and replaced the caps because they wouldn't have been reliable. The rectifier tube was bad and that's the likely reason it was put on a shelf- they probably didn't want to put any money into it. I bought three of these tubes for $19 on ebay, about ten years ago and the caps may have cost $15. I have another guitar amp from 1958 and one from 1959- I use the one from 1958 the most. I had another amp from 1952 and I actually wish I hadn't sold it.

If a tube is bad, you'll know it- there's no reason to change it prematurely. Tube testers are common and it's not hard to find someone who is willing to test yours, if you get another tube amp.

 

[GrimSurfer]

Good tubes are very easy to find, tube amps are very easy to repair and if you want to know what is involved, go to online DIY and tube audio forums and groups. As far as reliability, most issues are from electrolytic capacitors failing, often from sitting idle for decades. These are cheap and easy to replace, but it's necessary to know what's happening- high DC voltage can be lethal.

More reliable? I have a lap steel guitar amp that's 80 years old and it still works- I replaced the power cord because the rubber had fallen apart near the plug and replaced the caps because they wouldn't have been reliable. The rectifier tube was bad and that's the likely reason it was put on a shelf- they probably didn't want to put any money into it. I bought three of these tubes for $19 on ebay, about ten years ago and the caps may have cost $15. I have another guitar amp from 1958 and one from 1959- I use the one from 1958 the most. I had another amp from 1952 and I actually wish I hadn't sold it.

If a tube is bad, you'll know it- there's no reason to change it prematurely. Tube testers are common and it's not hard to find someone who is willing to test yours, if you get another tube amp.

I can remember when tube testing consoles were in many electronics stores. Customers could walk in, find the pin pattern of their tube, insert the tube, and test it themselves. I don't recall exactly when the testers were removed from stores but it was probably some time in the mid to late 70s.

 

[slipperybidness]

I can remember when tube testing consoles were in many electronics stores. Customers could walk in, find the pin pattern of their tube, insert the tube, and test it themselves. I don't recall exactly when the testers were removed from stores but it was probably some time in the mid to late 70s.

Before my time, but I have heard that tube testers were so common that often the corner store or gas station had them available too.

 

[GrimSurfer]

Before my time, but I have heard that tube testers were so common that often the corner store or gas station had them available too.

I seem to recall seeing them there too but details are fuzzy so I didn't mention this.

 

[highfigh]

Those testers weren't great, but they showed if the tube was good or bad. The best ones are fetching good money, but they usually need to be calibrated. Even if it needs to be calibrated, it may be close enough to find bad tubes- they usually peg the meter at some point, or the heater won't glow. I have an Eico tester that I don't totally trust, but the tubes I have tested do work and when the tests show similar numbers, they measure as similar in the amp.

Garage and estate sales are gold mines for this stuff- I found enough useful tubes last year that I don't think I'll come close to needing more of them, in my life.

 

[GrimSurfer]

Yeah... they weren't much more than ceramic sockets, heaps of wiring, and a power source. I suspect that the only thing they were good at was confirming a blown tube (as if the silver sheen on the inside of the tube, its failure to glow, and the crappy sound... or no sound at all... wasn't enough).

I guess an old radio collector would use on of these as a conversation piece. They look very old school and the logos etc. sometimes showed an artistic flair.

Good point about garage sales. I suppose that there are still many old chests containing new original stock tubes, still in their cardboard packages, waiting to be found!

 

[Phase 2]

Yes, but you are making my point. I have three tractors, a Willys Jeep and a couple of outboard motors with breaker ignition. My generator has Fairbanks-Morse magneto.

However, I know how to keep it in prime condition, and I hope you do to. Properly looked after breaker ignition works very well and gives hair trigger starting. However it needs much more maintenance than modern solid state ignition.

So people fancy they will get a vintage car or tractor or inherit a tractor from grandpa. They they soon find it is a hard start or a non starter, and they are clueless.

Then they find out the old mechanics are dead, or don't want or can't do it anymore. So they ask around and get told give Doc a call. So I end up going to a hobby farm and getting attacked by chickens quite often.

Often major work is required like this.

To get it running like a Swiss watch.

Tube gear is the same. If you don't know how to look after it, it is not for you.

Back in the day Mac had roving teams that conducted amp clinics around the country to keep their tube gear functioning properly. Those days are long gone.

Get my point.

(Getting attacked by chickens quite often)..lol.. thanks for the lol Doc, Always enjoy reading your post.

 

[GrimSurfer]

Yes, but you are making my point. I have three tractors, a Willys Jeep and a couple of outboard motors with breaker ignition. My generator has Fairbanks-Morse magneto.

However, I know how to keep it in prime condition, and I hope you do to. Properly looked after breaker ignition works very well and gives hair trigger starting. However it needs much more maintenance than modern solid state ignition.

So people fancy they will get a vintage car or tractor or inherit a tractor from grandpa. They they soon find it is a hard start or a non starter, and they are clueless.

Then they find out the old mechanics are dead, or don't want or can't do it anymore. So they ask around and get told give Doc a call. So I end up going to a hobby farm and getting attacked by chickens quite often.

Often major work is required like this.

To get it running like a Swiss watch.

Tube gear is the same. If you don't know how to look after it, it is not for you.

Back in the day Mac had roving teams that conducted amp clinics around the country to keep their tube gear functioning properly. Those days are long gone.

Get my point.

Nice looking rig. "Respect" for doing your own work.

I have a vintage European car. Bought it new, never took it to a garage because I also purchased the factory manuals ($1.5k) and special tools for head, suspension bushings, etc.

Runs like the day it was new... very much a "mechanical/direct" feel compared to new cars. But it takes more commitment and planning for parts. Take it to a garage... fuggedaboutit! A young tech wouldn't know where to start, even though it's EFI.

 

[M Code]

I can remember when tube testing consoles were in many electronics stores. Customers could walk in, find the pin pattern of their tube, insert the tube, and test it themselves. I don't recall exactly when the testers were removed from stores but it was probably some time in the mid to late 70s.

The corner drug store tube testers were worthless...
Yes they would show if a tube was shorted or burned out but gave little indication how good a tube was. The better tube testers were the type called "mutual conductance" that actually put a load on the tube, whereas corner drug store tester merely tested for emission. Also the mutual conductance tube tester could detect minor shorts like leakage...

Just my $0.02...

 

[GrimSurfer]

The corner drug store tube testers were worthless...
Yes they would show if a tube was shorted or burned out but gave little indication how good a tube was. The better tube testers were the type called "mutual conductance" that actually put a load on the tube, whereas corner drug store tester merely tested for emission. Also the mutual conductance tube tester could detect minor shorts like leakage...

Just my $0.02...

Cool. Didn't know that!

 

[highfigh]

Yeah... they weren't much more than ceramic sockets, heaps of wiring, and a power source. I suspect that the only thing they were good at was confirming a blown tube (as if the silver sheen on the inside of the tube, its failure to glow, and the crappy sound... or no sound at all... wasn't enough).

I guess an old radio collector would use on of these as a conversation piece. They look very old school and the logos etc. sometimes showed an artistic flair.

Good point about garage sales. I suppose that there are still many old chests containing new original stock tubes, still in their cardboard packages, waiting to be found!

Most had phenolic sockets- those are the ones that had carbon traces. The estate sale I went to last year had tons of new old stock tubes and I got a good number of them. They had 5 Amperex Bugle Boy 12AX7 tubes that I missed out on- those often sell for $80 each.


This is the lap steel amp, outside of the cabinet (box- it's 12" x 12" by 8" deep).

 

[highfigh]

Facebook has vintage and antique radio collectors and some of those people are doing amazing restorations, Several companies specialize in nothing but old radio restoration parts, like Radio Daze.

Here's a collection, er, hoard.

 

[highfigh]

Nice looking rig. "Respect" for doing your own work.

I have a vintage European car. Bought it new, never took it to a garage because I also purchased the factory manuals ($1.5k) and special tools for head, suspension bushings, etc.

Runs like the day it was new... very much a "mechanical/direct" feel compared to new cars. But it takes more commitment and planning for parts. Take it to a garage... fuggedaboutit! A young tech wouldn't know where to start, even though it's EFI.

Just in case you should need it-