Originally Posted by
JesseJamesDallas
I have yet to burn up a set...I bought my "Kicker 500" back in 2012 used off ebay, and it had weak tubes in it when I bought it...So I replaced them with a New set, plus bought a extra set just to have as spares...The first set I bought are still working like new, so i'm not sure if I will ever use my spares.
The Palomar 300A I have, has the original tubes still in it, and when I had the box in the shop having a rectifier diode replaced I had the tech check the tubes, and they all tested good and strong...
IMO, if you run these type tube amps the way they were intended, they should last a long time...But if you over-drive them, or maybe have high SWR, then they won't last any longer than a pill box would being abused the same way.
One other side note...Don't get too hung-up on tubes getting hot...That's what tubes do! These tubes were designed originally for old TV set's...Ever see a old TV set with a fan in the back to cool the tubes?..........no
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