[anachronism]

Ok, so I've got a Blackstar HT-5, and for some reason lately I haven't been loving the sound. I dunno if it's me or the amp, but I just can't get good sound out of it regardless of the settings lately. Possible my tubes are dead? Is there some way to check? This is my first tube amp, and I've never replaced the tubes before. Bought new, got it mailed to my house. Had it since this past December/January.

[bobthecow]

anachronism, on 24 July 2010 - 05:52 PM, said:

Ok, so I've got a Blackstar HT-5, and for some reason lately I haven't been loving the sound. I dunno if it's me or the amp, but I just can't get good sound out of it regardless of the settings lately. Possible my tubes are dead? Is there some way to check? This is my first tube amp, and I've never replaced the tubes before. Bought new, got it mailed to my house. Had it since this past December/January.

For tubes to die after only 6 months is strange indeed. I think that in this case, the speaker would most likely be the culprit. However, tube changes are relatively simple, and shouldn't cost more than about $50. I would recommend getting Tesla, Sovtek, or EH tubes.

[anachronism]

Can you give me some symptoms of dead tubes? I mean, the amp still works fine, it just sounds kinda shitty.

[bobthecow]

anachronism, on 28 July 2010 - 12:03 PM, said:

Can you give me some symptoms of dead tubes? I mean, the amp still works fine, it just sounds kinda shitty.

Dead tubes... if your power tube is entirely dead, you will get no sound from your amp at all, if it is dying you will get nowhere near the volume your amp used to get. If your preamp tube is dead, you will get no sound from your amp, if it is dying you will notice that the tone knobs on your amp are doing less, and there is a buzzing sound coming from the amp. The tubes , both preamp and poweramp, will both glow less brightly when dying.

Speakers in amps have the same symptoms of speakers in home audio and car audio. You will notice that your guitar seems like it is always distorted, no matter what you try, and the output isn't as good because the voice coil in the speaker is dead.

It is always a good idea to replace the tubes in new amps anyways. In my experience, new tube amps have shitty tubes that should be replaced immediately after purchase.

[anachronism]

Ohhh, okay, so I probably just had shitty stock tubes. Speakers definitely aren't dead. I do get sound it's just not as bright and lovely to listen to as before. Volume decrease? I dunno.

[micromnml]

bobthecow, on 29 July 2010 - 08:13 AM, said:

anachronism, on 28 July 2010 - 12:03 PM, said:

Can you give me some symptoms of dead tubes? I mean, the amp still works fine, it just sounds kinda shitty.

It is always a good idea to replace the tubes in new amps anyways. In my experience, new tube amps have shitty tubes that should be replaced immediately after purchase.

I wouldn't say a new Mesa/Boogie has shit tubes in it?

To replace some cheap tubes, I'd recommend Tung Sol and SED 'Winged C' power tubes.