Ref 3 vs LS27

[RLF]

Originally Posted by sander

In my ears the 6550 starts to wear out after 2000 hours or so.
Because my setup is also used by my wife during the day as background music, the hours slip by like crazy.
What do you think? Should i change my pre-amp, or my wife?

(just kidding)

In his book, "Get Better Sound, Jim Smith recommends having a second set of tubes on hand for a particular component and swap the old ones out with the new ones every so often to see it the sound improves enough to leave them in. If the new ones sound better then its time to change tubes. If not, reinstall the old tubes and repeat the process again in several months. He states that tube deterioration can be fairly substantial only after six months even though the manufacturer gives a longer tube life expectancy.

Don't plan on swapping your wife though

[Bavarian05]

Originally Posted by RLF

In his book, "Get Better Sound, Jim Smith recommends having a second set of tubes on hand for a particular component and swap the old ones out with the new ones every so often to see it the sound improves enough to leave them in. If the new ones sound better then its time to change tubes. If not, reinstall the old tubes and repeat the process again in several months. He states that tube deterioration can be fairly substantial only after six months even though the manufacturer gives a longer tube life expectancy.

Don't plan on swapping your wife though

Good advice! :-)

[sander]

Originally Posted by RLF

In his book, "Get Better Sound, Jim Smith recommends having a second set of tubes on hand for a particular component and swap the old ones out with the new ones every so often to see it the sound improves enough to leave them in. If the new ones sound better then its time to change tubes. If not, reinstall the old tubes and repeat the process again in several months. He states that tube deterioration can be fairly substantial only after six months even though the manufacturer gives a longer tube life expectancy.

Don't plan on swapping your wife though

I hope Jim doesn't apply that same practice on his wife;
"having a second wife on hand for a particular moment and swap the old one out with the new one every so often to see if the experience improves enough to leave it in."

On a serious note;
I only swap tubes when the Ref starts to sound really dry and lifeless.

[sander]

Originally Posted by redsectora

Can't you buy an integrated amp and small speakers when you are using your system as background music? You could probably use the money you are spending on tubes towards that system

I allready tried an integrated alternative.
But I guess my wife is also infected by the audio-virus; she didn't like the sound.
So i returned it. (The amp, not my wife)

I just have to accept the fact that i love my Ref 3 and want it to stay. Even if i have to spend some money once in a while on tubes.

(And i love my wife too, i also want her to stay)

[Dirt Ft.]

Although I can't speak to the Ref3 I do have the LS27 and found that it took almost 400 hours on it before it started to settle down and really open up the sound without sounding bright. There were even more improvements over the next 2-300 hours but not as dramatic...now with 2000+ hours I think this is one fantastic pre and the only thing I would trade it in on would be a Ref5 SE

Check your demo...does it have more than 400 hours on it?

[sander]

Originally Posted by Dirt Ft.

Although I can't speak to the Ref3 I do have the LS27 and found that it took almost 400 hours on it before it started to settle down and really open up the sound without sounding bright. There were even more improvements over the next 2-300 hours but not as dramatic...now with 2000+ hours I think this is one fantastic pre and the only thing I would trade it in on would be a Ref5 SE

Check your demo...does it have more than 400 hours on it?

Good point.
This demo is almost two years old and has over 3000 hours of playing time.
And your absolutely right: it's a great pre amp.