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Message: <blockquote data-quote="handsome" data-source="post: 1091672" data-attributes="member: 772"><p>Your usage of a variac is correct. Best tip: get lots of multimeters (i have 4) - when you power up a circuit use all the multimeters, clipped onto the relevant voltages typically HT and then each valve?s bias voltage - that way you can instantly see what is happening. Starting up a circuit slowly is a good safety precaution but knowing what is going on is far better. Work out your expected voltages then at a glance you will be able to tell whether to pull the plug or not. On the other hand don't be too scared - valves are far tougher than solid state and will happily endure voltage overloads for short periods but you will burn out resistors and it will take just one electrolytic cap exploding to teach you to hook them up right. Valve circuits are simple compared to solid state if you are careful it can be hard to make a mistake. Output and power transformers are the most expensive components, valves are actually much cheaper. Good luck and have fun!</p></blockquote><p></p>