Tube damage?

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BikeWNC

Tube damage?
« on: 23 Jul 2003, 09:49 pm »
Does it hurt or shorten the life of the tubes in my preamp if I get impatient and don't wait at least a half hour for them to warm up?  Or will they just not sound good until warm?  I just got home from a 50 mile bike ride and I don't want to wait for tubes to warm.  I want music now!  The louder the better too!  Whadda think?

doug s.

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Tube damage?
« Reply #1 on: 24 Jul 2003, 01:18 am »
depends on the gear - ask the mfr.  my melos preamp takes 3 minutes to power up - toob warm up.  once it's on, it's ready to go...

doug s.

JohnR

Tube damage?
« Reply #2 on: 24 Jul 2003, 06:41 am »
It won't make any difference if you play music through the tubes from the moment they are switched on. The audio signal in a tube preamp is miniscule compared to the DC voltages that are there all the time.

doug s.

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Tube damage?
« Reply #3 on: 24 Jul 2003, 07:31 pm »
could be right, johnr - the melos pre has warm up so initial turn-on isn't a shock to the toobs - once on, it may not matter.  but, i'd still check w/the mfr 1st...

doug s.

BikeWNC

Tube damage?
« Reply #4 on: 24 Jul 2003, 08:22 pm »
It's a Symphonic Line preamp bought through Klaus at Odyssey.  He told me to give it a 1/2 hour to warm-up to sound its best, but I don't remember if he said not to play it during that time.  I'll check with him when he gets back from vacation.  Thanks.