Rerurn to Romy the Cat's Site
In the Forum: Audio Discussions
In the Thread: Initial thoughts about new/old Lamm ML2s
Post Subject: Punk RockPosted by Paul S on: 1/22/2010
fiogf49gjkf0d
For many years I have habitually "rocked" tubes gently in their sockets (when the equipment is off!) in order to "better establish the electrical connection". I suppose I have done this hundreds of times with no problems, apart from three fairly recent, serious problems. The problems were cracked tube bottles in two 5651s and just now on an old 6096 (6AK5). Oddly, the 5651 failures were barely audible. I happened to noticed each in its turn had "melted" inside. OTOH, the 6096 failure was announced by two loud "pops", and I assume one of them was the internal "fast-blow" fuse, since the unit would not produce sound when I replaced the bum 6096.
Looking more closely at the cracked tubes, I see that the glass is pretty thin, albeit it is not nearly so thin where the cracks occurred in every case, on the bottom, in line with a couple of tube pins.
Because the rocking has become a +/- habit, I will have to TRY to remember not to do it now.
Anyway, now you've been warned; rock on at your peril.
Paul SRerurn to Romy the Cat's Site