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Tubes
If you're hearing a scratchy, static-like noise, or you're not hearing anything, in one channel of your Linear Tube Audio integrated amplifier, there's a good chance a tube has gone bad. The challenge, with ten tubes in each amp, is figuring out which tube has gone bad.
In this video, Nicholas walks you through the procedure to identify the problem tube. Once you find the bad tube, contact us. We warranty our tubes for a full year.
All Linear Tube Audio MicroZOTL products - the MZ2, the MZ3, and the MicroZOTL Preamplifier - can use either 6SN7 tubes or 12SN7 tubes. The important thing to know when switching is you have to change a setting inside the amp to to tell the unit which tubes you are using.
This video explains it all
The below chart lists the type and number of tubes used in each of our amps.
Linear Tube Audio sources the best tubes we can find for use in our production units, tested and curated to provide the best experience for our customers. When you buy an LTA amplifier, know that it will come supplied with the highest quality, premium tubes we can find.
LTA Amplifier Model | Tubes Used | |
Input | Output | |
12AT7 (2x) | 12SN7 (2x) | |
12AT7 (2x) | 6SN7 or 12SN7 (2x) | |
12AT7 (2x) | 12SN7 (2x) | |
12AT7 (2x) 12AU7 (4x) | EL84 (4x) | |
12AT7 (2x) 12AU7 (4x) | EL84 (4x) | |
12AT7 (2x) 12AU7 (4x) | EL84 (4x) | |
12AU7 (2x) 12AX7 (2x) | 16JN6 (4x) | |
12AU7 (2x) 12AX7 (2x) | EL34 (4x) | |
Tubes can be a Pandora’s Box or a rabbit hole, depending on your outlook. For many, the opportunity to alter and improve the sound of their amp by tube rolling, is one of the joys of owning a tube amp.
If this describes you, we encourage you to explore different tubes, and feel free to contact us with any questions you may have along the way.
No. All Linear Tube Audio amps automatically bias the tubes, so no adjustments are ever necessary.
Linear Tube Audio amplifiers produce far less heat than traditional tube amplifiers.
The ZOTL technology allows us to run ⅓ the electrical current through the tubes than normal, which results in much cooler tube operation. You could leave your amp on for days and still comfortably place your hand on the top of an LTA amp (not the tubes themselves).
Heat kills, so this also extends the life of tubes, to somewhere in the 10,000 - 20,000 hour range. Ask any other amplifier manufacturer about tube life, and the answer will be 1,000-2,000 hours, tops.
The reduced heat also makes our amps more child- and pet-friendly.
ZOTL technology allows us to use ⅓ the electrical current than normal, which results in much cooler tube operation. This, in turn, extends the life of tubes, since it’s heat that kills tubes.
So, with LTA amps, you can expect tube life in the 10,000 - 20,000 hour range.
Depending on your listening habits, this could effectively mean you never have to buy another set of tubes again. (Although we know most of you won’t be able to resist trying out different tubes.)
Ask any other amplifier manufacturer about tube life, and the answer will be 1,000-2,000 hours.
The reduced heat also makes our amps more child- and pet-friendly.
ZOTL amplifiers are platforms for tube quality. The better the tube, the better the amp sounds.
Linear Tube Audio sources the best tubes we can find for use in our production units, tested and curated to provide the best experience for our customers. When you buy an LTA amplifier, know that it will come supplied with the highest quality, premium tubes we can find.
While we often come across exquisite rare tubes, we are not a tube store. We are focused on tubes that we can use in consistently in amp production over multiple units.
Tubes can be a Pandora’s Box or a rabbit hole, depending on your outlook. For many, the opportunity to alter and improve the sound of their amp by tube rolling, is one of the joys of owning a tube amp.
If this describes you, we encourage you to explore different tubes, and feel free to contact us with any questions you may have along the way.
