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Important Information About Tubes and Tube Products (continued):
Survival Tips For Tube Amplifiers:
To.prolong.tube.life,.observe.these.tips.and.recommendations:
•. Match.the.impedance.of.your.speaker.cabinet(s).to.your.amplifier..Improper.impedance.
matching.will.contribute.to.early.tube.degradation.and.may.cause.premature.tube.failure.
•. Make.sure.the.speaker(s).are.properly.connected.prior.to.turning.on.the.amplifier.
•. After.playing.the.amplifier,.allow.sufficient.time.for.it.to.properly.cool.down.prior.to.moving.
it..A.properly.cooled.amplifier.prolongs.tube.life.due.to.the.internal.components.being.less.
susceptible.to.the.damage.caused.by.vibration.
•. Allow.the.amplifier.to.warm.up.to.room.temperature.before.turning.it.on..The.heat.gener-
ated.by.the.tube.elements.can.crack.a.cold.glass.housing.
•. Replace.the.output.tube(s).before.the.performance.degrades.or.the.tubes.fail.completely..
Replace.the.tube(s).on.a.regular.basis.(at.least.once.per.year.or.as.often.as.every.4.to.6.
months.if.you.play.long.and.hard.every.day).
•. Always.have.the.bias.checked.after.replacing.the.output.tubes.(unless.the.amplifier.is.
equipped.with."self-biasing.circuitry")..This.should.be.done.ONLY.at.a.qualified.service.
center..Improper.biasing.could.result.in.the.tubes.running.too.hot,.which.greatly.reduces.
the.life.of.the.tubes.–.or.too.cold,.which.results.in.distorted.sound.regardless.of.level.
settings..Do.not.play.the.amplifier.if.it.exhibits.these.symptoms.–.get.the.bias.checked/
adjusted.immediately.to.prevent.tube.failure.and/or.other.damage.
•. If.the.locating.notch.on.the.base.of.a.power.tube.breaks.off,.replace.the.tube..This.signifi-
cantly.reduces.the.risk.of.damaging.your.amplifier.by.incorrectly.inserting.the.tube.
•. Protect.the.amplifier.from.dust.and.moisture..If.liquid.gets.into.the.amplifier.proper,.or.
if.the.amplifier.is.dropped.or.otherwise.mechanically.abused,.have.it.checked.out.at.an.
authorized.service.center.before.using.it.
•. Proper.maintenance.and.cleaning.in.combination.with.routine.checkups.by.your.authorized.
service.center.will.insure.the.best.performance.and.longest.life.from.your.amplifier.
CAUTION: Tube replacement should be performed only by qualified service personnel
who are familiar with the dangers of hazardous voltages that are typically present in
tube circuitry.
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