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  #91  
Old 06-11-2014, 12:09 PM
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jdandy jdandy is offline
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MtnHam.......Before I would replace tubes at 2000 hours and 5000 hours in the Ref2SE I would test them. Audiophiles who own and use tube gear should also own a tube tester as part of the system. Just because ARC says 2000 hours for the 6H30 tubes and 5000 hours for 6550C tube doesn't necessarily mean those tubes are bad. Remember, ARC is in the business of selling tubes, too. It is not uncommon for 6550's to operate within spec from 3000 to 5000 hours, and the 6H30's from 6000 to 8,000 hours.

I agree that tube usage ,as far as time is concerned, is important but it's not that important when one considers the amount of time the tubes are actually used. Using a tube component for 3 hours a day every day the 6550C will be useful for 1000 days (2.74 years) or more. The 6H30 tubes will be useful for 2000 days (5.48 years) or more. For both tube types that is just pennies per day cost. Yes, tube time is precious but not that precious.
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  #92  
Old 06-11-2014, 09:11 PM
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MtnHam MtnHam is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jdandy View Post
MtnHam.......Before I would replace tubes at 2000 hours and 5000 hours in the Ref2SE I would test them. Audiophiles who own and use tube gear should also own a tube tester as part of the system. Just because ARC says 2000 hours for the 6H30 tubes and 5000 hours for 6550C tube doesn't necessarily mean those tubes are bad. Remember, ARC is in the business of selling tubes, too. It is not uncommon for 6550's to operate within spec from 3000 to 5000 hours, and the 6H30's from 6000 to 8,000 hours.

I agree that tube usage ,as far as time is concerned, is important but it's not that important when one considers the amount of time the tubes are actually used. Using a tube component for 3 hours a day every day the 6550C will be useful for 1000 days (2.74 years) or more. The 6H30 tubes will be useful for 2000 days (5.48 years) or more. For both tube types that is just pennies per day cost. Yes, tube time is precious but not that precious.
Dan, thanks for sharing your perspective. Perhaps mine (and as you say ARC's) is too conservative. I love my Ref2SE and sometimes think about another pair of big tube monoblocks, for winter use. However, past experience with catastrophic 6550 tube failures in an ARC D115 I owned many years ago still has me a bit shell shocked.
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  #93  
Old 06-12-2014, 02:03 AM
MC2301-Lover MC2301-Lover is offline
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I wonder if there is more of a sound difference having a SS Pre & Tube Amps vs. SS Amps with a tube Pre??

Which setup would you notice the presence or use of tubes maybe best compared against everything SS as the baseline?
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  #94  
Old 06-12-2014, 02:13 AM
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doggiehowser doggiehowser is offline
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For me it's economics.

My speakers ask for power. Loads of it. Part of the speaker designers' philosophy that watts is cheap

So for bang for the buck power, it has to be SS.
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  #95  
Old 06-12-2014, 08:49 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MC2301-Lover View Post
I wonder if there is more of a sound difference having a SS Pre & Tube Amps vs. SS Amps with a tube Pre??

Which setup would you notice the presence or use of tubes maybe best compared against everything SS as the baseline?
It is much more common to combine a tube preamp with a solid state power amp rather than the other way around. A tube preamp can give you some of the warmth and natural decay that tubes preserve along with SS power which can be chosen to meet the needs of your speakers. Since tube power amps generally require periodic biasing and tend to go through tubes more quickly than the low level tubes used in preamps, it is also easier and requires less maintenance to maintain this combination.
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  #96  
Old 06-12-2014, 10:55 AM
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I just read this whole thread. One of the best threads on the Forum. Even the occasional wandering off topic was informative.

Well done. Keep it coming.

Jason... Enjoy your new acquisition! Bet it's coming in nicely about now.
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  #97  
Old 06-16-2014, 07:07 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pider View Post
I just read this whole thread. One of the best threads on the Forum. Even the occasional wandering off topic was informative. Well done. Keep it coming. Jason... Enjoy your new acquisition! Bet it's coming in nicely about now.
I love it! I just wish I had more time to enjoy the goodies...
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  #98  
Old 06-16-2014, 08:47 PM
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I prefer all things tube, grew up on tubes, went to SS for a few years in the 70s, got a tad older and realize something was missing, tubes since then and never look back.
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