1. Don't put your finger on a tube when it's hot.
2. Make sure when you buy tubes that you know what type the piece takes. For instance, a 300B SET power tube will not work in a 5687 preamp.
3. The metal pins are the part that plugs in. Look for a white-ish, round disc with holes inside the component. This is a likely place to plug the pins in.
Naaahhhh. Just kidding.
1. Read up on tube types and get some rollers on e-bay.
2. If you got an amp, familiarize yourself with biasing.
3. Don't leave the piece on when not in use.
4. Allow at least a half hour before critical listening.
5. Case and component damping can reduce microphonics. Some people like tube dampers too.
6. Maintain good ventilation.
7. Tubes are cool, but they're more like a 1967 VW bus than a 2002 Toyota Corolla. Getting the right tube mix can be tricky, but it's worth it. Enjoy the process and Have Fun!
