Newbie tube amp owner needs "do's and dont's" please

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Don't turn it on/operate it without speakers or dummy load connected. That won't hurt a solid state amp, but it could be the death of a tube amp.

Warm up pretty much takes care of itself, but you also generally want to let it rest for several minutes before you turn it back on if you accidentally or purposely turn it off to do something.
 
Yes, make all your connections, turn the preamp or source on first with volume all the way down. Turn tube amp on, check bias, then turn up your source and enjoy the ride. Welcome to the dark side.:thmbsp:
 
jaymanaa said:
Yes, make all your connections, turn the preamp or source on first with volume all the way down. Turn tube amp on, check bias, then turn up your source and enjoy the ride. Welcome to the dark side.:thmbsp:
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Hey, I thought I joined the dark side when I got my Magnepans.....wait, maybe that was "welcome to the flat side".

I'll google "how to check tube amp bias" but if one of you wouldn't mind and could give me quick 'splanation I'd certainly appreciate it.
 
tomlinmgt said:
Hey, I thought I joined the dark side when I got my Magnepans.....wait, maybe that was "welcome to the flat side".

I'll google "how to check tube amp bias" but if one of you wouldn't mind and could give me quick 'splanation I'd certainly appreciate it.
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Is it stock?
 
jaymanaa said:
Is it stock?
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No, jwrauch did some hot rodding....have a look at the link and he mentions a few things he's done. And IIRC he checked the bias just before he shipped it when he was checking it over for the sale. Would it need another bias check?
 
tomlinmgt said:
Oh Lord, you mean the "jones" gets worse when you start messin' with tubes? :sigh:
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Worse, WAY worse, because you can so easily try different brands of tubes (tube rolling) and such. :yes:

Next thing you know you're going to be looking for spendy Mullard, Telefunken, Amperex, etc. tubes.
 
Don't go touching any of the bare wires on circuit boards and such. Keep the cover on if in reach of children and pets. Learn where the high voltages are if you ever open the chassis up.

That is pretty much a plug and play unit you bought. Enjoy.

Try to remember to turn it off when done, and don't worry too much about how hot it runs. Get out the marshmallows.

You will want a tube preamp...

Tubes love horns....

A nice vintage Thorens would be nice too.

Hence the checkbook comment

Don't you want another one already so you can run some KT 66s?

Don't you wonder what the MKIII monoblocks are all about?
 
I got a ST-70 about two and a half years ago, It spawned another ST-70 3 months later. Then a PAS. After that came the AR-XA turntable and the record buying. Ah yes the tube rolling thing all the while. Last week a pair of WAVE 8's showed up at my door. OMG help me stop LOL
 
tomlinmgt said:
Oh Lord, you mean the "jones" gets worse when you start messin' with tubes? :sigh:
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In a word, yes. I started with a Magnavox console amp, and within two months, I have a pair of Marantz 5s and an MC-30 that needs a bit of repair and a twin. It's a sickness or sorts, but it sure is satisfying. And do keep the checkbook handy... :yes:

Ed: FWIW, you may also want to keep a variac, VOM, and a soldering iron handy too. ;)
 
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Thanks guys.

Hooked it up last night and enjoyed my first hi-fi tube amp (as an adult, anyway) experience. Upstream gear is Yamaha cdp as a transport, GF Tube DAC 09 through tube circuit, freshly recapped and modded Hafler 110 pre, EV Interface C II speaks, Audioquest Midnight cables and Ruby interconnects, acoustically treated listening space.

The set-up I've been listening to in my main rig was going to be a tough act to follow as it's taken me to levels of fidelity and SQ I've never before been (Magnepan MMG's slightly modded, Emotiva XpA-2 or Soundcraftsmen MA5002with Emotiva USP-1 or Hafler 110, everything else same).

It was late and I only got to listen to seven or eight tunes (intended to listen to one or two but couldn't stop after that), but from the get go it sounded absolutley fantastic and as the amp warmed up it just got better. The soundstage, imaging, and detail were there (though not quite as "sharp"), the dynamics were improved (drums sound VERY nice), and the tone and balance of the instruments/vocals was so, so smooth and warm. Only thing I can compare it to is if you went to listen to a great sounding live act with heightened senses (caffeinated or otherwise) that would be the Maggie/SS amp set up, and if you listened to that same act with senses slightly dulled but in a semi-euphoric state (good booze buzz or otherwise), that would be the ST-70/EV's. Jayhawks, Yes, and Sade sounded outstanding.

The fact that it could offer so many or the same positive attributes of the prior set-up plus do some things the other set-up couldn't with very few compromises has me very impressed and, well, ready to tweak.

I'll live with this arrangement for a while but can't wait to start playing around with things. Horns are on the short list (probably E-wave or similar) and I have a bunch of speaks to try out with the Dynaco (JBL L100t3, ADS 1290 II's, Dynaco 25's, KLH 6's, Vandersteen 2ci, CV D-8-E) and vinyl won't be far behind. Of course the tube rolling will start next week.

This is the last thing I needed to go out and do.....oh, boy. :D :tears: :D :tears:
 
jaymanaa said:
Yes, make all your connections, turn the preamp or source on first with volume all the way down. Turn tube amp on, check bias, then turn up your source and enjoy the ride. Welcome to the dark side.:thmbsp:
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When turning on a phono tube preamp, should the preamp come on before or after the receiver/amplifiers?

Also, I think I learned the hard way to wait several minutes before turning a tube preamp back on -- I was greeted by a little pop and my receiver locked up. A reset took care of it but for a few minutes I was sure I fried my input.

Thanks!
 
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