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Are covers necessary for tube amp /receivers?

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Pvwickline66

New Member
Hello:

This is a total newbie question… I am just now trying to get into collecting vintage audio gear, including receivers. There is a Harmon receiver (TA 260) on sale nearby. However, it doesn’t have a cover (cabinet). Would it be smart to purchase this with no wood cover? Are covers /cabinets necessary on vintage tube receivers? Can they be exposed?



help?
 
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Well, think about it. Do you have any kids or animals or curious neighbors that might come up to it and stick their hands or fingers into it? :yikes: :rflmao:

All kidding aside, no! It is not necessary for the normal operation of the amp/receiver.

If you want a cover for looks or originality, then by all means, search for one, buy one, or build one. I live by myself and almost all of my tube amps have no covers. In fact, I can't think of one that does. Over the years, I bought them that way at swap meets or thrift shops.

Even with a cover, never set drinks or any liquids on top. This includes candles. :rolleyes:
 
Pvwickline66 said:
Hello:

This is a total newbie question… I am just now trying to get into collecting vintage audio gear, including receivers. There is a Harmon receiver (TA 260) on sale nearby. However, it doesn’t have a cover (cabinet). Would it be smart to purchase this with no wood cover? Are covers /cabinets necessary on vintage tube receivers? Can they be exposed?

help?
Click to expand...

As cademan and Dswankey have said, no, they are not at all necessary as long as there are no curious fingers (or paws) lurking about. About the only negative I can think of having it uncovered would be the greater opportunity for dust to collect, but then again that is offset by the additional cooling provided by having the additional access to air. Tubes may like heat (to a point) but the rest of the parts don't.

So to me it comes down to cooling VS cleaning, , , my personal choice is uncovered, with an occasional blast of "air in a can" to keep the dust bunnies at bay.............. :thumbsup:
 
Quite a few vintage amps had perforated metal covers. High powered tube equipment produces a LOT of heat. Perforated or slotted metal keeps curious fingers out (and the voltages in tube equipment are often lethal) plus allows for good air circulation while not being flammable. Also provide some protection from electric fields if that is an issue (large electric motors, etc close by).
 
cademan said:
Well, think about it. Do you have any kids or animals or curious neighbors that might come up to it and stick their hands or fingers into it? :yikes: :rflmao:

All kidding aside, no! It is not necessary for the normal operation of the amp/receiver.

If you want a cover for looks or originality, then by all means, search for one, buy one, or build one. I live by myself and almost all of my tube amps have no covers. In fact, I can't think of one that does. Over the years, I bought them that way at swap meets or thrift shops.

Even with a cover, never set drinks or any liquids on top. This includes candles. :rolleyes:
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THANK YOU!!
 
init4fun said:
As cademan and Dswankey have said, no, they are not at all necessary as long as there are no curious fingers (or paws) lurking about. About the only negative I can think of having it uncovered would be the greater opportunity for dust to collect, but then again that is offset by the additional cooling provided by having the additional access to air. Tubes may like heat (to a point) but the rest of the parts don't.

So to me it comes down to cooling VS cleaning, , , my personal choice is uncovered, with an occasional blast of "air in a can" to keep the dust bunnies at bay.............. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

thank you so much for responding… I really appreciate the information! I have no kids… Or pets… So my equipment should be safe :-)
 
I cut a bed sheet up into squares and cover all my components when not using them to keep them clean. Dust is bad for their switches, pots, and such. Doing it has me doing a lot less maintenance. Keeps my tube components always looking clean and SS with no dusting off required. I just shake the dust off the sheet squares occasionally.
 
I have a McIntosh MC275 MKVI tube amp. The K88 tubes light up green when correctly functioning. I found that the metal tube cage, with hundreds of round holes, threw a distracting green moire pattern on the walls and ceiling. I removed the cage. So far, in seven years, only one drunk, adult numbskull has stuck his paws into the tubes. Most people and animals know not to touch glowing, hot bulbs. I also keep my amp above four feet off the floor. Good luck.
 
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Bushikan said:
........ Only had one drunk, adult numbskull stick his paw into the tubes. Most people and animals know not to touch glowing, hot bulbs......
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Yep, every crew of guys has that one idiot friend whose just gotta touch EVERYTHING..... I cured at least a couple of em over the years by leaving a really large MFD electrolytic cap with a couple of bare wires attached, fully charged, just laying there all innocent like on the workbench, waiting to pounce. After the umpteenth time of "Don't touch anything", and the minute ya turn your back you hear the loud scream "ARRRRRH !!!!!!" as the cap goes flying across the room cause of the zap it just delivered, yeah, , , ya get that kinda twisted satisfaction of having delivered one of life's hard lessons, accompanied by the roaring laughter of the rest of the guys.

I've never had someone "educated" in such manner ever touch a thing on my bench again....... :naughty:
 
init4fun said:
Yep, every crew of guys has that one idiot friend whose just gotta touch EVERYTHING..... I cured at least a couple of em over the years by leaving a really large MFD electrolytic cap with a couple of bare wires attached, fully charged, just laying there all innocent like on the workbench, waiting to pounce. After the umpteenth time of "Don't touch anything", and the minute ya turn your back you hear the loud scream "ARRRRRH !!!!!!" as the cap goes flying across the room cause of the zap it just delivered, yeah, , , ya get that kinda twisted satisfaction of having delivered one of life's hard lessons, accompanied by the roaring laughter of the rest of the guys.

I've never had someone "educated" in such manner ever touch a thing on my bench again....... :naughty:
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:rflmao: I did this exact same thing in high school. One of my friends was very adamant about DC not being able to shock you. I carefully reached inside my coat pocket and lightly tossed it to him. He never said another word. :D
 
Bushikan said:
I have a McIntosh MC275 MKVI tube amp. The K88 tubes light up green when correctly functioning. I found that the metal tube cage, with hundreds of round holes, threw a distracting green moray pattern on the walls and ceiling. I removed the cage. So far, in seven years, only one drunk, adult numbskull has stuck his paws into the tubes. Most people and animals know not to touch glowing, hot bulbs. I also keep my amp above four feet off the floor. Good luck.
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Are you sure it was a moray?

When the moon hits your eye,
Like a big pizza pie,
That's amore.

When an eel bites your hand,
And that's not what you planned,
That's a moray.

When our habits are strange,
And our customs deranged,
That's our mores.

When the show has a ham,
Who's last name's Amsterdam,
That's a Morey.
 

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init4fun said:
Yep, every crew of guys has that one idiot friend whose just gotta touch EVERYTHING..... I cured at least a couple of em over the years by leaving a really large MFD electrolytic cap with a couple of bare wires attached, fully charged, just laying there all innocent like on the workbench, waiting to pounce. After the umpteenth time of "Don't touch anything", and the minute ya turn your back you hear the loud scream "ARRRRRH !!!!!!" as the cap goes flying across the room cause of the zap it just delivered, yeah, , , ya get that kinda twisted satisfaction of having delivered one of life's hard lessons, accompanied by the roaring laughter of the rest of the guys.

I've never had someone "educated" in such manner ever touch a thing on my bench again....... :naughty:
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This-is golden! As John Wayne is reported to have said, " life is hard. It's harder if you're stupid!"
 
reminds me of another saying

"tell someone there are a million stars in the universe and they will believe you. Tell someone the paint is wet and they have to touch it to make sure"
 
Pvwickline66 said:
Hello:

This is a total newbie question… I am just now trying to get into collecting vintage audio gear, including receivers. There is a Harmon receiver (TA 260) on sale nearby. However, it doesn’t have a cover (cabinet). Would it be smart to purchase this with no wood cover? Are covers /cabinets necessary on vintage tube receivers? Can they be exposed?



help?
Click to expand...
You'd want the cover for safety in case there are little prying fingers or pets, or just for appearance. The cover also keeps dust out of the receiver. Not having a cover allows heat to escape more readily from the receiver, and that can enhance its reliability & lifespan.
 
Hello AvaBrown, I have edited the content of your post, please post using the English language here at AK.
 
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