Question about "Burning In" tubes

[Big Bamboo]

When a new tube acts up, I have often seen the advice given to "burn it in" for 50 to 100 hours. When that practice is done, is it necessary that a source be connected and headphones be attached?

Or, is it enough just to turn it on to get the heaters glowing.

I had tried "burning in" a tube, but didnt bother to connect a source or headphone. Recently in a separate post by Caucasion Blackplate, instructions were specifically given to burn in by play through cheap headphones.

Curious as to whether or not it mattered. What, in theory, does burning in accomplish?

Thanks to all for such a terrific forum. I am learning alot!

John

[Paul Birkeland]

To cook a tube in, you'd want the heaters glowing and some standing current to be drawn from the cathode(s).  This is just the amplifier on, nothing more.

In the separate post, there was an issue with noise, and the cheap headphones are a way to listen for changes in this behavior.