NAD (VHT Special 6 Ultra)

[daan]

Woo hoo, I FINALLY have a decent amp! I've only been playing 30 years now (so shouldn't I be better at this by now? :18: ) ANyway I've been playing thru crummy SS practice amps and yard-sale stereo equipment my whole life. I've never actually bought a BRAND NEW amp, the closest I've come is trading guitars for used amps. So I sold a few of my guitars, and bought this thing:




I now have THE best gear I've ever owned, hands down. I'm SO stoked! I seriously want to sell off the rest of my crap, and use all that $ for lessons or something, so I actually sound like I know what I'm doing.
I do have a couple Q's though, I've never owned a Tube amp before. Is there some kind of break-in period, do I gotta baby it for the first 3000 miles or something? HOw about turning it on, I heard or read that there's a special way so I don't blow up my tubes. Or maybe that's an urban legend, or something.
Also, I was having so much fun with it before work tonight that I didn't hide it when I went home, I know my kids are gonna be all over it

THIS is how they usually treat my gear, so I'm a little nervous for what I'm gonna find when I get home:

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: NAD (VHT Special 6 Ultra)

hehe ... cute little monsters.

That guitar is stunning. Nice score on the amp, congrats. Don't worry about breaking it in; just wind it up and go!

 

[zzmoore]

Re: NAD (VHT Special 6 Ultra)

Those are pretty nice amps, and a pleasure to work on.
As said above, just play it.

Tubes Can and Do go bad at ANY time. You could have one die tomorrow. Just make sure you have a few spares on hand. And do not wait for a tube to go bad before you plug in a "new" one. When you buy your spares, you want to test them right away...make sure they are good, because..... "Tubes Can and Do go bad at ANY time". That includes brand new tubes that are still in the box.
So, while your amp is functioning properly, buy some spares, and plug them in to make sure they sound as good as the tubes that are in there now.
Nice kids...Nice gear
good luck my friend

 

[DankStar]

Re: NAD (VHT Special 6 Ultra)

Cool man! I turn on the power, then wait about 3 minutes, then turn on the standby. It gets the tubes ready before using them "cold". Turn off in reverse (but no waiting in between) - not sure why, that's just how it's stated in manuals. For example, page 4 here: http://www.marshallamps.de/service/downloads/JTM30BDA_englisch.PDF

 

[zzmoore]

Re: NAD (VHT Special 6 Ultra)

I hesitate to even say, but.....Do not worry about your amp like that OP ^^^^^^^
Just turn it On and Off.
best

 

[ken361]

Re: NAD (VHT Special 6 Ultra)

Stock power tubes chinese are pretty harsh though a new set will smooth it out, even better a 6l6 and some preamp tubes.

 

[daan]

Re: NAD (VHT Special 6 Ultra)

I'm sure there are 6562543262 different tubes (and opinions about them) just like there are a billion kinds of strings...
Is there an overview site or something about different tubes? I have NO clue about what's good/bad/just hype, etc.

 

[zzmoore]

Re: NAD (VHT Special 6 Ultra)

I'm sure there are 6562543262 different tubes (and opinions about them) just like there are a billion kinds of strings...
Is there an overview site or something about different tubes? I have NO clue about what's good/bad/just hype, etc.

That is about it in a nutshell. Does not matter what the other Million opinions are, you still have to try them for yourself.
You need spares, so you need to try some tubes and see what difference/improvement (if any) you hear.
No need to discount the stock tubes, you may find you wish you had more of them, but then again you may not. You simply have to buy and try.
Stay away from Gold Pins, Cryogenics, and other such "improvements" that are merely marketing ploys.
good luck

 

[DankStar]

Re: NAD (VHT Special 6 Ultra)

I'm sure there are 6562543262 different tubes (and opinions about them) just like there are a billion kinds of strings...
Is there an overview site or something about different tubes? I have NO clue about what's good/bad/just hype, etc.

it's fun to just do a search for your tube at a tube place and read the descriptions. this has one 6v6 right? https://www.tubesandmore.com/search/node/6v6 tube?cats[0]=1

you can do the same with 12ax7s, until you go completely mad. I personally don't wig out on swapping tubes, unless there's a problem. I don't like the idea of throwing money at something in anticipation that the sound may or may not significantly change.

 

[Demanic]

Re: NAD (VHT Special 6 Ultra)

it's fun to just do a search for your tube at a tube place and read the descriptions. this has one 6v6 right? https://www.tubesandmore.com/search/node/6v6 tube?cats[0]=1

you can do the same with 12ax7s, until you go completely mad. I personally don't wig out on swapping tubes, unless there's a problem. I don't like the idea of throwing money at something in anticipation that the sound may or may not significantly change.

I'm the exact opposite, which is why I bought a Jet City Picovalve. It's based in part on the THD Univalve which can use any octal based power tube. I've also tried a variety of pre-amp tubes in it.
I'm a big fan of JJ's http://www.eurotubes.com/store/pc/home.asp

 

[daan]

Re: NAD (VHT Special 6 Ultra)

Are tubes/valves like car headlight bulbs, where you can't touch the glass part? Y'know, your fingerprint on the glass will make the headlight break in a few hours? Do I gots ta wear gloves to change tubes?

 

[zzmoore]

Re: NAD (VHT Special 6 Ultra)

You can touch the glass all you want.....