Preamp tube section on head - how long for warmup?

[echo008]

Could be a damaged tube socket, could be the act of bending the pins caused the tube to slowly lose vacuum (doubtful) or could be a simple failed tube, which is most likely.

In my experience, preamp tubes have a slightly higher OOB failure and early failure rate than power tubes.

Though some current-production tubes can be pretty robust once they've passed initial burn-in times.

With guitar amps - I don't used bass amps with tubes - I just don't have the patience for early/OOB failure any more; I've gone to buying only relatively lower-price, current-production tubes, and only from suppliers who test and burn them in before they become my problem. From them, I've had exceptionally good luck with JJ ECC83s spiral-filament 12AX7's.

Was going to go for a Genelex gold Lion, Probably at some point still will.

 

[Pocket Dave]

Was going to go for a Genelex gold Lion, Probably at some point still will.

While their premium grade ECC83/12AX7 tube runs $60-70 ea, they're just as prone to early/OOB failure as EH, Mullard, Tung-Sol, Sovtek and Svetlana tubes made in the same Saratov, Russia Reflektor plant.

For $20 and a lower failure rate, I can buy a JJ ECC83s from EuroTubes, who'll test it and burn it in.

 

[echo008]

While their premium grade ECC83/12AX7 tube runs $60-70 ea, they're just as prone to early/OOB failure as EH, Mullard, Tung-Sol, Sovtek and Svetlana tubes made in the same Saratov, Russia Reflektor plant.

For $20 and a lower failure rate, I can buy a JJ ECC83s from EuroTubes, who'll test it and burn it in.

Appreciate that, will look into.

 

[byacey]

Perhaps you broke the vacuum seal trying to straighten the pins. Does the heater light up?

 

[agedhorse]

Why not just be happy with your amp before you create a problem. Hopefully you didn't already damage the socket.

 

[Wasnex]

I don't have any first hand experience with Psvane, but the reviews I have read for their new musical instrument series suggest reliability may not be great. Hopefully you are dealing with a reputable dealer who will replace the tube.

It's not unusual for the pins to get bent in transit. I bought a purpose built pin straightener, similar to this:

Later I bought some NOS Mullards that had pin protectors that can be used to straighten pins.

B9A pin protector (top and bottom)

 

[agedhorse]

Be careful not to break the glass seal when using pin straighteners. It's not uncommon to do.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Really was just wanting to see what it would do to the tone overall, and it did brighten it up without getting thin, it sounded good.

That’s a good reason. Thanks for the response.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

The reality of it I suppose. I should have pushed the matter when I initially
Contacted the company that sold it to me. I didn’t.

Yup

 

[Rip Van Dan]

Hello
My head has a single tube for the preamp section. I recently replaced the stock tube with a PSVanes 12ax7 gold tip. The pins came bent from the place I purchased from, I straightened them enough to make the tube “fit” in my head socket. All was fine for a bit. I turned power off after I was done.
When I go back to play again I have no sound. Waited about a 30-60 seconds and still not a peep out of it.
I went back to stock tube and no issues, sound came on very quickly.

Do different tubes take more than a minute to warm up? Am I just being to hasty should I have waited longer?
Any insight is appreciated
Thanks

The Ruby 12ax7 tube in my Eden WT500/800 amp takes about 5 to no more than 10-seconds of making a crackling sound before the amp is ready to go. Eden hybrid amps have a tube in the impedance matching section of the amp operating within specific parameters to ad that warmth to their sound that they are known for.

Most amps put it in the gain section, but I doubt that where they put it in the preamp makes much difference in how long it takes to warm up...I could be wrong of course.

 

[Kyley Boyd]

Hello
My head has a single tube for the preamp section. I recently replaced the stock tube with a PSVanes 12ax7 gold tip. The pins came bent from the place I purchased from, I straightened them enough to make the tube “fit” in my head socket. All was fine for a bit. I turned power off after I was done.
When I go back to play again I have no sound. Waited about a 30-60 seconds and still not a peep out of it.
I went back to stock tube and no issues, sound came on very quickly.

Do different tubes take more than a minute to warm up? Am I just being to hasty should I have waited longer?
Any insight is appreciated
Thanks

I have the GK fusion with 3 tubes. Takes about 20 seconds before any sound will come out. After a few minutes it sounds even better. Sorry I don’t know enough about the issue to help.

 

[Kyley Boyd]

My Alembic single tube preamp on another rig takes only 5 seconds for sound. Not sure. Same tube that came with it 20 years ago.

 

[Super Bass]

Was going to go for a Genelex gold Lion, Probably at some point still will.

For $20 and a lower failure rate, I can buy a JJ ECC83s from EuroTubes, who'll test it and burn it in.

I love those Genelex gold lions, the 12AX7 B749 and the CV4004.
The JJ's are pretty typical sounding 12AX7's....

 

[RoadieP]

Was there a problem with the old tube? If not, this is why I recommend leaving well enough alone.

I've seen this a few times on here recently. Why are people yanking out good tubes and replacing them? I'm genuinely cornfused

 

[Spirit of Ox]

Not sure what kind of amp you have but quiet a few years ago I talked to Larry Hartke about changing the preamp tube in the HA3500. He told me that you won't notice much difference in tone. The preamp tube just softens the waves.
Of courese this is pertaining to his amps so YMMV.

 

[Koshchei]

15-20 seconds is all that's needed.

Bent pins can damage tube sockets, I see this a lot.

Was there a problem with the old tube? If not, this is why I recommend leaving well enough alone.

^

Power tubes can take longer -- I've got a few sets of Mesa-branded 6L6s that take a couple of minutes, otherwise they're super crackly. EL84s are super fast, as are EL34s (in other amps).

 

[agedhorse]

^

Power tubes can take longer -- I've got a few sets of Mesa-branded 6L6s that take a couple of minutes, otherwise they're super crackly. EL84s are super fast, as are EL34s (in other amps).

Power tubes can take a little longer, and they can make mechanical noises as they warm up. They shouldn’t make electronic noise or crackles for 2 minutes however.

 

[beans-on-toast]

It’s interesting to use the heater voltage as a reference for enabling B+. The problem is increased complexity and more to break.

Constant Current for Tube Heaters. Extend the Life of Your Amplifier’s Vacuum Tubes

I think that they are overemphasizing any long term damage from the startup shock caused by using voltage fed heaters.

 

[Koshchei]

Power tubes can take a little longer, and they can make mechanical noises as they warm up. They shouldn’t make electronic noise or crackles for 2 minutes however.

Apparently, I have several bad sets of 6L6s then They sound good after a couple of minutes, but are really noisy and crackly until then. Was kind of hoping it was just a 6L6 thing, or maybe Traynor's odd power amp topology with individual biases and fault detection.

 

[agedhorse]

It’s interesting to use the heater voltage as a reference for enabling B+. The problem is increased complexity and more to break.

Constant Current for Tube Heaters. Extend the Life of Your Amplifier’s Vacuum Tubes

I think that they are overemphasizing any long term damage from the startup shock caused by using voltage fed heaters.

In general a solution to a problem that really doesn’t exist. It’s a common theme in the esoteric hi-fi world however because of the marketing need to be different.

Apparently, I have several bad sets of 6L6s then They sound good after a couple of minutes, but are really noisy and crackly until then. Was kind of hoping it was just a 6L6 thing, or maybe Traynor's odd power amp topology with individual biases and fault detection.

This is very uncommon with Mesa tubes as they are screened for such behavior. It’s possible that this is something unique to Traynor’s design or your amp specifically.