[Baba booey]

Just wondering, are tube headphone amplifiers allowed in dorm rooms? Some people say they might not allow them because they could be seen as fire hazards.
I've heard many conflicting reports about this...
I'm going to SUNY Albany starting in the fall, and I don't wanna end up getting something I can't bring with me.

 

[Alpha 904]

I really can't see any problems with having a tube amp, which run not much hotter than some incandescent lamps. There could be problems if you have a large amp that uses a cluster of tubes. Just as a precaution, I would just keep anything really flammable (gasoline, vodka) away from the amp.

 

[jdkJake]

I would not think you would have a problem as long as it does not become covered in causally tossed clothing, which, seemed to the biggest problem with my dorm room back in the day. Man that room was hard to keep neat with three dudes in a TINY space!

Seriously, as long as it is well ventilated and not close to curtains and the like, I would see no problem. No more than a SS or any other amp, particularly class A. Hot plates and incense burners were the big problems when I was in the dorms.

You don't plan on running it 24/7 do you? I mean, turn it off when you are not there and you should be just fine.

I would be more afraid of it getting ripped off (or unintentionally borrowed).

Probably should ask to be sure in any case.

jk

 

[tintin47]

A tube in a phone amp will never get hot enough to light anything on fire. Not only that, but if you're not allowed a tube amp, you are in a lot of trouble as you can expect light bulbs to be banned as well. Tubes operate on mostly the sam principal as an incandescent bulb, but they run much cooler.

Also, no one is going to steal it because you can't easily sell it, and not many people would be able to use it.

 

[FallenAngel]

Considering the copious amounts of drugs in college dorms, I doubt you have to worry about a tube amp breaking some rules.

 

[Uncle Erik]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tintin47 /img/forum/go_quote.gif A tube in a phone amp will never get hot enough to light anything on fire. Not only that, but if you're not allowed a tube amp, you are in a lot of trouble as you can expect light bulbs to be banned as well. Tubes operate on mostly the sam principal as an incandescent bulb, but they run much cooler. Also, no one is going to steal it because you can't easily sell it, and not many people would be able to use it.

It depends on the amp. Some tubes run pretty hot - I wouldn't leave anything on or near them. For that matter, class A solid state can run pretty damned hot, as well.

But I don't forsee any problems using a tube amp responsibly in a dorm room. Keep papers, clothes, etc. away from it and you'll be fine.

And do not be one of those idiots who leaves tube gear on 24/7. Yes, I said idiots. If anyone comes in here and says "but I do it and nothing has happened" prepare for a lengthy rant. I'll spare you, but do not leave your gear on when you're not listening to it.

 

[taso89]

Being a college student, for me the biggest worry would be spilling something.. be wary of keeping the amp far away from liquids. I've ruined a phone and a keyboard from "water" damage.

I'm confident no one will tell you that you can't have a tube amp.. Chances are they won't even know what the hell a tube amp is

 

[DanielCox]

You'll be fine. If the dorms are anything like the ones in the UK people won't know what the **** in your room is anyway.

 

[TheMarchingMule]

My college warns us before they do any room checks, so to be on the same side, I hide my Little Dot I+ in my sock drawer.

IMO that's best to do, because at least with my college, once they catch something that looks dangerous/foreign/suspicious, they'll probably confiscate it, and good luck getting it back.

 

[MrOutside]

to those wondering if tubes get hot... yes they do. I believe they get about as hot as a light bulb filament the inside part does anyway which is very hot i have heard that lightbulbs get hotter than the surface of the sun?

 

[Spareribs]

Agreed. Don't be an idiot.

Use a budget tube amp like something in the $300 range or less. Don't expose it to people and keep it concealed. Enjoy the discreet sonic joy brotha!

 

[Baba booey]

Well...
I went on ebay, and I got a Starving Student tube amp...and it was well less than $300 (because that's what my budget allowed).
And most people probably won't know what a tube amp is anyways

 

[tintin47]

Good find. That will work great. The starving student is a good amp.

 

[twylight]

I would be more worried about theft and drunken destruction.

 

[Halluci]

Quote:

Originally Posted by twylight /img/forum/go_quote.gif I would be more worried about theft and drunken destruction.

Agreed. All sorts of things get broken by drunk people.

Seriously though, my college also prohibits microwaves, but just about everyone has one in their room. Even when they do room checks, the most that's ever happened is they leave a note saying that microwaves are disallowed, and that they will come back and check again, which they never have.


...@tintin47
Yale sucks