when to replace tubes ?

[navekeinan]

hello guys i'm new here


My blackstar HT-5R is about one year old , I use it on daily basis , and I just wonder when do I need to change the tubes ?

and if i open the amp how can I check that my old tubes are still good ?

[thephantum]

When you start to notice that the amp "doesn't sound as good as it used to", it's time to change the tube. If the amp still sounds good then the power tube is fine. If you want (or have) to replace the power tube, the amp will need to be properly biased.

The general rule is to replace preamp tubes every other time you replace power tubes. The HT-5 only has one power tube and one preamp tube. Unlike the power tube, the preamp tube does not need to be be biased. It's plug and play.

Unless a tube has failed, there is no way to look at one and tell if it's good or not. Even a failed tube can appear to be fine to the naked eye.