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Things that will blow your tube amplifier

post #1 of 31
9/11/08 at 12:02am
Thread Starter 
Lets put a compilation of things you shouldn't do if you don't want to blow your tube amplifier. If you want to add your personnal experiences, free to you .
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post #2 of 31
9/11/08 at 12:09am
I've found that using capacitors rated for a lower voltage than your amp delivers to be somewhat spectacular. A 250V cap in a circuit that needs 450V caps makes a lot of smoke and noise.
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post #3 of 31
9/11/08 at 1:15am
Turning the amp on with no tubes installed.

Removing tubes with the amp on.

Kowingly using defective tubes in the amp.

These mistakes seem intuitive to avoid .... yet people seem to keep doing them.
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post #4 of 31
9/11/08 at 1:40am
Drinking coffee over the bottom of an open amp as voltages are checked.
Turning your amp on and off real fast to condition the caps.
Using 12 gauge wire for a fuse because you figure a nice piece of copper will work better.
Pounding on a tube to get into the socket not realizing the pins are in the wrong holes and then turning it on.
Using 240 volts on a 120 volt amp.
Tripping over the extension cord while trying to use a home amp as a short distance portable.
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post #5 of 31
9/11/08 at 2:09am
Don't spit on your tubes and plug 'em in...

Don't even own a tube amp, but that seems like common sense
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post #6 of 31
9/11/08 at 11:07am
If your amp has output transformers, never run it with no headphone connected. This can fry the outputs trannys. Hardly any, (if any) headphone amps are though.

Also, if the amp is in a very humid environment, try and get it to drier ground....
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post #7 of 31
9/11/08 at 11:35am
Lighting, Water,
Stabbing it with a knife, kicking it,
licking random parts of the board while its on
adding rodents and large insects to live in
using the underboard to grate parmesan cheese
yea its very fragile put it in a safe and never turn it on!
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post #8 of 31
9/11/08 at 11:36am
Give the amplifier some water if the sound is dry...
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post #9 of 31
9/11/08 at 2:20pm
When you plug in a new tube, make sure you watch the tube/amp for at least 30 minutes or so before leaving the room. Thankfully, I did that with the new tube in question that went supernova.

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post #10 of 31
9/11/08 at 2:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jon L View Post
When you plug in a new tube, make sure you watch the tube/amp for at least 30 minutes or so before leaving the room. Thankfully, I did that with the new tube in question that went supernova.
Holy moly.......looks pretty though

Peete.
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post #11 of 31
9/11/08 at 3:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jamato8 View Post
Drinking coffee over the bottom of an open amp as voltages are checked.
Turning your amp on and off real fast to condition the caps.
Using 12 gauge wire for a fuse because you figure a nice piece of copper will work better.
Pounding on a tube to get into the socket not realizing the pins are in the wrong holes and then turning it on.
Using 240 volts on a 120 volt amp.
Tripping over the extension cord while trying to use a home amp as a short distance portable.
No you didn't, did you?
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post #12 of 31
9/11/08 at 3:26pm
Well not each one. lol

I was working on a preamp once that had 720 volts coming off of my first regulator and touched to cooling fins. A friend had installed the transistor and had not used the insulator. Sooo when I touched the fins WHAM, 720 volts to my right index finger and the smell of burning flesh. Not too much fun.
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post #13 of 31
9/11/08 at 3:32pm
Ow! Not fun...
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post #14 of 31
9/11/08 at 4:40pm
Do not give your tube amp a drink of Scotch - not even a good single malt.
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post #15 of 31
9/11/08 at 5:14pm
How would you give it a drink in the first place..?
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