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Peachtree Audio iDecco Question

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Posted on November 29, 2020 at 22:07:28
AudioDwebe
Audiophile

Posts: 1910
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: November 12, 2001
 How do I know if the tube is engaged or disengaged from the signal chain?

I couldn't find much info about how to tell if the tube is on or off. The only thing I've read is a reviewer stated that when the blue light ring is on underneath the tube, it's in the signal chain.

But the thing is, when the blue light is on the only part of the tube that's lit up is the very top. There's a blue ring (light) at the bottom of the tube and the very top is lit. The rest of the tube looks like it's off.

When the blue light is not lit up, the entire tube looks like it's on, like any other tube that's been turned on.

Does anyone have experience with this and knows how to distinguish tube being on/off in the iDecco?

Thanks, and stay safe.






"Man, that mouse is Awesome." - Kaemon (referring to Jerry, of Tom and Jerry fame)

 

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RE: Peachtree Audio iDecco Question, posted on November 30, 2020 at 07:00:56
Sondek
Audiophile

Posts: 9630
Location: Fort Worth
Joined: May 17, 2000
Contributor
  Since: April 5, 2002
 I have no experience with this unit at all, but I suspect that the tube filament is lit all the time whether the tube is "in" the circuit or not. The blue LED at the bottom is the signal that it's engaged in the circuit, and the LED drowns out most all the other light from the tube except where the filament protrudes from the top of the cathode. Otherwise if the tube is not in the circuit, you'd have to wait for it to warm up when you want to engage it. Thus the tube is probably on all the time whether it's in or out of the circuit.

Only a guess ...

 

RE: Peachtree Audio iDecco Question, posted on November 30, 2020 at 12:53:56
jhkain
Audiophile

Posts: 17
Location: Philadelphia area
Joined: September 12, 2008
 This explanation is a good one. I've got the Peachtree i-Nova and the tube works that way -- always on but when engaged, the blue light at the bottom is on.

I can also tell the difference in sound when I turn it on or off. When on there is an added warmth to the sound; when off, more clinical.

 

Your guess is right, posted on November 30, 2020 at 13:39:20
AudioDwebe
Audiophile

Posts: 1910
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: November 12, 2001
 Spoke with Peachtree rep. Blue light = tube engaged. No blue light = tube not engaged, but still on.

I was hoping to disengage the tube completely so I could just leave the amp powered 24/7, but I guess that will not happen.

Thanks, all.
"Man, that mouse is Awesome." - Kaemon (referring to Jerry, of Tom and Jerry fame)

 

RE: Your guess is right, posted on November 30, 2020 at 16:36:27
Sondek
Audiophile

Posts: 9630
Location: Fort Worth
Joined: May 17, 2000
Contributor
  Since: April 5, 2002
 You could still leave it on. Small tube in an application like that - I wouldn't worry about it. Unless of course you plan on using a mega buck NOS tube. Otherwise, with the price, quality and availability of good current manufacture stuff, why not? Just replace them (it) every couple of years, or when it starts to sound bad.

 

RE: Your guess is right, posted on November 30, 2020 at 17:35:34
AudioDwebe
Audiophile

Posts: 1910
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: November 12, 2001
 Thanks for the suggestion. I didn't really consider that but I just ordered a backup tube for $20. I think I can afford $20 every few years for a replacement tube.


"Man, that mouse is Awesome." - Kaemon (referring to Jerry, of Tom and Jerry fame)

 

RE: Peachtree Audio iDecco Question, posted on December 1, 2020 at 07:21:11
AbeCollins
Audiophile

Posts: 46295
Location: USA
Joined: June 22, 2001
Contributor
  Since: February 2, 2002
I still own the iDecco with old-style 30-pin iPod dock up top. It's in storage at the moment. As others have stated, the filament is always ON but the tube is not always in the signal path. The tube IS in the signal path if the blue LED is lit up. Personally, I didn't hear a huge difference with the tube inline, maybe a little smoother but also a little veiled.

It's not a bad sounding 40wpc Class AB amp. I like the way it sounds much better than the more powerful and current model Nova 150 that I bought used and sold after a couple months.



 

Yank it out while music is playing, posted on December 1, 2020 at 08:25:07
NuWave
Audiophile

Posts: 2619
Location: Wisconsin
Joined: March 22, 2002
 or would that damage something? ok maybe not...but it would certainly work

 

Don't do that, posted on December 1, 2020 at 09:03:11
airtime
Audiophile

Posts: 11287
Location: Arizona
Joined: February 4, 2003
 Even if it is not in the audio path, the heater element is tied into to the Power supply. The "math" that designed the PS circuit is dependent on that tube being there and drawing heater current - used or not

 

i was wondering what would happen...., posted on December 1, 2020 at 12:41:42
NuWave
Audiophile

Posts: 2619
Location: Wisconsin
Joined: March 22, 2002
 ;-)

 

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