[Rob N]

How reliable is this tube?

A few comments on Head-Fi suggest it might be a little delicate

 

[OutdoorXplorer]

Mine has surpassed 100hrs without problem.

 

[Skylab]

I have not had any problems with mine - it's got about 200 hours I'd guess...

 

[takezo]

i have over 500+ and still going.. though the glass gets dark from impurities found inside.

 

[WalkGood]

I stopped counting after 150 + hours and she still works great! The sex appeal of this large glowing tube is still there, but she does have a very slight smoky look while not in use from her impurities, but still glad I have her.

 

[jc9394]

Mines are over 50 hours now.

 

[dannie01]

My first 274B is going wrong in about 50hrs, not glowing at all. Then replaced by Jack and run it for +100hrs and be sure no problem with the replacement. Now the Princess is well packed in the original carton to wait the BGs are well settled. BTW, it sounds amazing.

 

[OutdoorXplorer]

My 1st SP374B from Jack has accomplished 200 hours and now back into the box. I recently pickup a new and unused SP274B locally and currently running in for its 1st 50 hours to ensure reliability.

 

[Covenant]

Do you all find that the Sophia changes significantly with burn-in, as opposed to straight out of the box? And how much burn in did yours take to settle into her final sound?

 

[takezo]

speaking for myself, yes, the sophia changed drastically after 100+ burn-in hr. and somewhat
again after 300+ burn-in. -> better focus at the lower freq. and sweeter tonal quality.

 

[OutdoorXplorer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Covenant /img/forum/go_quote.gif Do you all find that the Sophia changes significantly with burn-in, as opposed to straight out of the box? And how much burn in did yours take to settle into her final sound?

Ideally 80~100 hour of burn-in is require. It changes to smoother delivery in all frequency. It started with slight harsh in high and mid range when it came out of box.

 

[Covenant]

Quote:

Originally Posted by OutdoorXplorer /img/forum/go_quote.gif Ideally 80~100 hour of burn-in is require. It changes to smoother delivery in all frequency. It started with slight harsh in high and mid range when it came out of box.

Ok cool, thanks for the confirmation. I tried the Sophia out for an hour or two the other day just to make sure she worked, before she went back to her box. And I couldnt tell any immediate improvement over the stock rectifier.

 

[dannie01]

I jealous that you have a spare Princess OutdoorXplorer, that's costly.

 

[OutdoorXplorer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Covenant /img/forum/go_quote.gif Ok cool, thanks for the confirmation. I tried the Sophia out for an hour or two the other day just to make sure she worked, before she went back to her box. And I couldnt tell any immediate improvement over the stock rectifier.

You should hear difference in details and wider sound-staging in comparison with stock tube.

 

[OutdoorXplorer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannie01 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I jealous that you have a spare Princess OutdoorXplorer, that's costly.

I grabbed it during a local head-fi meet and paid $100 to the seller with a week personal warranty. I just thought it was a good buy with small risk.

~Close My Eyes and Trust My Ears~