Tube Amp Break In

[accwai]

58 minutes ago, elcorso said:

About 100 hours intermittent and playing music.

 

Yup. Intermittent is good. This is from the FAQ page on EML's website:

 

Quote

It is better to switch off the amplifier after each use, for best formatting of the cathode. The tubes benefit from the cold periods in between. [...] This slow development of a homogenous layer, is the final burn in process. The tube should be give time for this, and not stressed into it. This is why we advise to do the burn-in process under normal use conditions. Many short use periods have a better result than few long periods. Switch off the amplifier after each use, and in the beginning not use the tubes longer than 4 hours at one time. Many short use periods have a better result than few long periods. The tubes need the „cold“ periods in between for best formatting. Use different loudness levels from the beginning, and increase the maximum loudness gradually.

 

Go to point #2 for full text.

 

By the way, I did the photo next to point #16. Bought a EML 5U4G Mesh around the time the design change was introduced. Really freaked out when I saw the glowing wires inside. Contacted Jac with a glow in the dark photo. He liked it so much he asked for a high rez version to put on the EML website