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Are old vacuum tubes worth anything?
According to many factors such as type, status, and use, old radio tubes’ value range in price from some to hundreds and thousands of dollars. For example, an RCA electron tube costs around $15, while a 101D vintage vacuum tube can take you $400.
How long do vacuum tubes last?
Tubes don’t just “quit” suddenly. They lose their drive capability gradually with use. Small signal tubes like a 12AX7 or 6922 will work well on average for about 10,000 hours. If you leave your equipment on 24 hours a day, well you do the math: There are 8,760 hours in a year.
What are the negative factors with vacuum tubes?
Vacuum Tubes: Disadvantages Bulky, hence less suitable for portable products. Higher operating voltages generally required. High power consumption; needs heater supply that generates waste heat and yields lower efficiency, notably for small-signal circuits. Glass tubes are fragile, compared to metal transistors.
How do I know if my power tubes are bad?
Crackling, squeals and feedback, excessive noise and muddiness or low output are all evidence of tube problems. Power tubes. The two main symptoms of a power tube problem are a blown fuse or a tube that begins to glow cherry red. Either are typically indicative of a power tube failure.
How do you know when your power tubes need replacing?
A: These are the most common signs that tubes need replacement: Excessive noise (hiss, hum) including squealing or microphonic tubes. Loss of high end. A muddy bottom end; Sounds like there is too much bass and note clarity is lost. Erratic changes in the overall volume. The amp doesn’t work!.
What do you do with old vacuum tubes?
Contact the Global Electronics Recycling Network. This group maintains a network of electronic recycling organizations in many countries. Use its website to locate an electronics recycling organization near your home; you can find out the drop-off location and the cost of disposing of your vacuum tubes.
Is there precious metals in vacuum tubes?
Tubes. Tubes can be manufactured in a range of high purity precious metals, including platinum, gold, silver, palladium, rhodium, iridium and other alloys upon request.
Do vacuum tubes contain mercury?
Re: Vacuum Tube Dangers There are no miniature tubes containing mercury. The only ones you’re likely to encounter are the 83 or the 866. There is no cadmium in any vacuum tube.
How often do vacuum tubes need to be replaced?
On average, tubes can last from 500 to 1,000 hours, so if you play with your amp two to three hours every day, you can safely expect to get around a year or less from your vacuum tubes.
When should I replace vacuum tubes?
A simple guide is to replace the power tubes twice as often as the preamp tubes, because they wear out more quickly. An amp that is used every day should expect to replace its power tubes every one or two years. If you notice lower output, strange noises, or a “muddier” tone, your tubes probably need replacing.
How often do tubes need to be replaced?
You can expect a conventional amplifier tube to have a service life ranging up to 10,000 hours. Tubes with military specifications are built to last up to 100,000 hours.
Why did we stop using vacuum tubes?
Vacuum tubes suffered a slow death during the 1950s and ’60s thanks to the invention of the transistor—specifically, the ability to mass-produce transistors by chemically engraving, or etching, pieces of silicon. Transistors were smaller, cheaper, and longer lasting.
What are the disadvantages of transistors?
Advantages and Disadvantages of Transistors Advantages Disadvantages Low source voltage Temperature dependency High voltage gain Lower power dissipation Smaller in size Low input impedance.
What are the advantage of transistor over vacuum tubes?
Transistors: Advantages. Usually lower cost and smaller than tubes, especially in small-signal circuits. Lower power consumption, less waste heat, and high efficiency than equivalent tubes, especially in small-signal circuits.
How long do power tubes last?
Tube Life Span Power Tubes are generally at their best 1 – 1.5 years. Rectifier Tubes are generally at their best 3 – 5+ years.
What color should power tubes glow?
This type of glow is usually violet in color and most noticeable around the inside surface of the glass bulb. It is most pronounced on power tubes and is the product of electron bombardment of the glass taking place within the tube.
Can bad tubes cause hum?
Tubes will make a myriad of strange and seemingly inexplicable sounds. The one thing they won’t do is hum. It can, however, seem that way if one or more power tubes go out. More often than not, when your amp is making a humming sound, it’s caused by dirty power, a bad ground connection, or fluorescent lighting.
How much does it cost to replace tubes in an amp?
You should be looking anywhere from $50 (for smaller amps like a 30 watter)) to $130ish (For larger amps.
What does a blown tube look like?
The purple glow around wires or other elements indicates leakage and a tube with this should be discarded. Perhaps the most obvious thing to look for is any loose parts that have broken off inside the bottle. You can gently shake the tube as well and listen for rattling.
Who buys vacuum tubes?
There are usually five types of buyers looking for vacuum tubes: The Radio Collector/Restorer looking to bring old radios back to life or setting it up to display, Tube Collectors (there are actually whole books on collecting vacuum tubes and their original box art), Musicians who still use and love the sound of a May 2, 2011.
Does the military still use vacuum tubes?
Though vacuum tubes still have their uses with medical and military applications, the most prolific consumers in modern times have to be audiophiles. Their dedication to vacuum tubes borders on stubborn. For x-rays or maintaining antiquated military systems, vacuum tubes are a necessity.
How do I dispose of an amplifier?
Just visit the location nearest you and place your stereo amplifier in the recycling bin (it is always a good idea to check with your specific location before making the trip with your recyclable goods).
