Sounds like this is the amp I am going with then. Will be my first tube amp so pretty excited. Should I stay with the ol' make sure headphones are plugged in when powering on with this amp or does it matter?
Noooooooooo!!!!! STOP!!!!!
- Never have the headphones connected to the amp when swtiching off and on!!! Never!!! I always connected them when the amp was on for about 15 min when i was ready to listen to it..
- And let the amp warm up for 15 min before using...the tubes need to warm up to sound on their best.
- And dont change tubes when the amp is still warm...let them cool down..and dont put cold tubes on a warm amp.
- And pls pls pls...pls pls... Put volume on zero before u switch off or switch on the amp
- And when u switch of the amp..wait a few minutes to switch it on again..
- when changing tubes..be carefull that u allign the new ones the right way..there is a lip on one side that goes into the lip in the socket..if u dont do this u can damage the socket and or tube.
TiP: get urself some good feet, like herbies audiolab tenderfoot..they are affordable and did wonders for vibration control..my 337 was very sensitve on vibrations...those feet helped a lot and to my ears the sound got fatter..more lower bass..
Another TIP: do some tube rolling... 5998's, 5693 red hots, 6080wb slotted graphite plates, sj7gt mesh plates are a good start
. As this amp reacts extremely well on tuberolling..if u want more info about tubes ask ultrainferno..he knows a lot about tubes for the 339/337.
TIP 3: i found out myself that better powercables inprove the sound a bit..and Connect the TWO powerconnectors DIRECTLY into a wallsocket...my 337 sounded worse when there was some kind of box in between... But if electrixicty spikes are a concern in ur area then ofcourse pls use a conditioner of some sort..i would advice a blue circle PLC thingee...they are affordable and good.
ANDWHEN. U DO BUY HIM...have fun!!! U will love it..its a very good amp...i really cant believe why this gem has so little admirors.... Compared to the lyr this is a better amp...but somehow millions of people boight that amp..is it maybe because the 339/337 is chinese made and the shiit US made?