How to Troubleshoot a Tube Amplifier Burning Out a Tube
Tube amplifiers provide a warm tone and are often a first choice for those considering purchasing an amplifier. Tube amplifiers all require regular maintenance which can be as simple as replacing the output and preamp tubes regularly to maximize the life of the amplifier. Failure to do regular maintenance can create malfunction and poor performance. There are a couple of steps that can be done to determine malfunction and its causes in a tube amplifier.
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Instructions
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With the amplifier powered on, inspect the tubes to ensure they are equally illuminated. Turn the amplifier off and remove the tube that is not lighting up, being mindful that it is likely very hot to the touch.
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Remove another tube that was illuminated in the amplifier and that is the same value as the one that was not illuminated and put it in the opposite socket. Place the tube that wasn't illuminated in the socket of the one that was working. Turn the amplifier on and inspect the tubes again for even illumination. If the tube that did not work before is still not lighting, it is faulty and should be replaced with a new tube of equal rating.
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Consult a professional technician if the tube that was working is not lighting up in the socket that the other tube was in before. This means the stage of the amplifier that operates with that tube is malfunctioning. This could be as simple as a small, passive component in the chassis of the amplifier failing, or it could be more serious.
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Tips & Warnings
Use only known working vacuum tubes that are either new or have been tested as good. Tubes often fail and can result in misleading conclusions when troubleshooting a malfunctioning amplifier.
Tube amplifiers carry lethal levels of voltage even when turned off and unplugged from a power source. Misuse can cause personal injury and even death from electric shock. It is recommended that the chassis never be opened or worked on if you are uncertain of its capability.
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Resources
- Photo Credit old vacuum tubes image by Dmitry Rukhlenko from Fotolia.com
