Tube testing service

The question is often asked by customers, how long will my tubes last and when should I replace them? Leaving aside catastrophic failure like fireworks inside the tube or a purple glow instead of blue on power up, the more subtle indicators are:

• if the tube does not warm up; typically this would be accompanied by no sound!
• if the silver coating on the inside of the tube (the getter) has turned grey or white then the glass envelope has cracked and air has entered the tube

But in the usual course of events, a tube will age with use. As a guide, if your amp is used every day, after two years you could expect to notice lower output or a "muddier" tone.

Or not.

So to take the guess work out - as tubes are not inexpensive - Secret Chord Analogue now offers a tube testing service with our B&K 747 solid state tube tester, which quickly confirms a tube's current status and an indication of its likely life span.

Cost is $10 per tube, plus return postage and GST.

Ship to: Tube Testing Service, Secret Chord Analogue, PO Box 245, Wentworth Falls, NSW 2782