What happens if I loose the cathode bias?

[bequerel]

I have been thinking about using LEDs to bias a single tube transformer coupled 12B4A linestage. I suppose that the failure rate of LEDs is higher than for a resistor. What happens if the cathode suddenly loses the connection to ground?

 

[analog_sa]

What happens if the cathode suddenly loses the connection to ground?

Nothing at all. Just no sound.

 

[Geek]

If the cathode is bypassed with a low voltage, large value electrolytic, you'll hear a loud BANG! 😉

 

[bequerel]

Thank you for the input guys 🙂

 

[Family_Dog]

Well, I had one valve (EL34) in a P-P circuit operating without the cathode resistor for a couple of hours before I noticed it - the prominent lack of emission glow alerted me to the fact! The amplifier still sounded just fine though, using the other half of the P-P circuitry. No damage occurred, but it is not something I like doing...

-Eric