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Why tubes?
Yes, everlasting dilemma - vacuum tubes or transistors for amplification?
Looking strictly technically, amps and pre-amps with transistors features
superior technical characteristics. It is mainly shown in less harmonic
distortion and grater damping factor. About harmonic distortion, with
vacuum tubes it is lot less then 1%, which actually is not detectable.
Modern loudspeaker design greatly overcomes the problem of lower damping
factor of tube amps.
On the other hand, using the latest and the best quality passive and
active components in combination with vacuum tubes results in constructions
that simply achieves more than superior sound (sonic) characteristics
when compared with similar solutions with transistors. Therefore, it
is not surprise that the highest places in high-end class of equipment
are reserved for vacuum tube amplification. Tubes just need to be heard.
What is the lifetime of vacuum
tubes?
Lifetime of vacuum tubes depends of type, manufacturer and operating
conditions. Generally, NOS (New Old Stock) tubes will last more than
the same of newer fabrication.
Looking at numbers, lifetime of vacuum tubes varies from 1,500 to 10,000
working hours. We (NAT) are expecting, for tubes that are implemented
in our units, to last at least 4-5 years assuming average use of the
unit.
Why tubes have limited lifetime?
The answer for this question should be founded in the operating principle
of the vacuum tubes. Cathode of the tube is covered with thin layer
of special material (usually barium based) which contains plenty free
electrons which can be emitted when this material is heated. In time,
this layer partially looses the ability to emit electrons and tube simply
becomes "deaf".
How to recognize that tubes in
my device are "deaf" and how to replace them?
As we already mentioned, tubes have limited lifetime. The symptoms that
indicate that tube is ready for replacement can be different, and not
always so obvious. Mainly, it is sounding. Sound from amplifier becomes
muffy, details are lost. In some cases occurrence of noise is possible.
If this happens with power amp tubes, then the amp usually cannot provide
nominal power, or the sound is greatly distorted.
Technically, tube is not able to conduct enough current to ensure proper
operating of the device where it is implemented.
In above cases it is necessary to replace old tubes. Our recommendation
is that this tube replacement in your device should be performed by
qualified expert. If you choose to do it yourself please contact us
for details.
How to choose proper cables for
connecting my amplification system?
NAT devices are not projected for use with any particular type of cables
(signal or sound). The best rule is to trust your ears. If you are in
position to try different cables from different manufactures, choose
the one that sound best to you. Of course, it is always good to choose
the best possible quality and already proved connections.
Is there a need to turn off the
electric devices during the stormy weather?
Stormy weather makes electromagnetic charges that can lead to destruction
of some components in some of your equipment. Generally speaking, during
stormy weather it is recommended to unplug all fairly sensitive electric
devices like audio and video devices, computers etc. And not only to
switch them off, but to unplug them from the wall socket.
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