Tube Amplifier Question - Blu-ray Forum

allstar780 · 01-02-2009, 04:51 AM

So I recently received a free tube amp, which has been hand-cleaned... it sounds great but the right channel has a lot of noise (not very loud... mostly noticeable between songs during the silence) but basically I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions to remedy this? I checked all my connections and they're all good, I was thinking maybe replace the tubes?

Big Daddy · 01-02-2009, 05:03 AM

Read this article.

http://www.mesaboogie.com/US/Dealers/FAQs/faqs.html

allstar780 · 01-02-2009, 05:11 AM

So I have to remove the grill style cover on the tubes and test them as that article states to diagnose the problem?

Big Daddy · 01-02-2009, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allstar780

So I have to remove the grill style cover on the tubes and test them as that article states to diagnose the problem?

My best guess is to replace the tubes. Is there a tube amplifier dealer or repair center in your area? Take it there and ask them. You can also ask the previous owner if he/she knows anything about the noise.

allstar780 · 01-02-2009, 05:23 AM

Well I played around with the layout of my setup a bit more and I think it may have been remedied by my removal of an old FM antenna from the back of my Onkyo amp (now being used as a pre-amp) as well as moving the speaker wires around a bit to where they are somewhat isolated... I'm still getting a slightly faint hiss and crackle, but I'm not gonna complain about it (i cant even hear it from my listening position) when the amp was free... I might change the tubes anyways though, just to see the difference better tubes will make

thanks for the help Big Daddy

allstar780 · 01-02-2009, 05:27 AM

Oh.... I guess I should have let the amp warm up a bit more before posting that... the hiss/crackle is still there... just somewhat quieter... but not as quiet as I had thought.... I'll order some new tubes for it (what's $75 gonna hurt really?) and see what happens

Gremal · 01-02-2009, 05:33 AM

You should do some troubleshooting. Swap the right channel power tubes for the left channel tubes. Let your amp warm up for a sufficient time. Make sure each tube is holding its bias. Then see if the noise has moved to the left channel. If so, you have confirmed the problem is the output tubes.

Big Daddy · 01-02-2009, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allstar780

Oh.... I guess I should have let the amp warm up a bit more before posting that... the hiss/crackle is still there... just somewhat quieter... but not as quiet as I had thought.... I'll order some new tubes for it (what's $75 gonna hurt really?) and see what happens

$75 is still better than what most repair centers charge just to look at your equipment. Tubes are like the opposite sex. They need to warm up.

allstar780 · 01-02-2009, 05:43 AM

I just listened to all of Seal's new album Soul and I love the way the amp sounds.... I'll have to find some tools tomorrow and do a bit of diagnostic work i guess, I'll probably get some tubes either way though, because better tubes should make it sound better right? lol

Strannix136 · 01-02-2009, 01:04 PM

New tubes may very well make a difference. Depending on how old the amp is, filter capacitors could also cause noise by allowing ripple voltages into the audio path.

mdabb · 01-02-2009, 02:33 PM

What tube(s) are in your amp ???

Some tubes are more sensitive to microphonics and you may want to swap the tubes you have in it now for different ones. That doesn't mean you have to go out and buy a pair of NOS (New Old Stock) tubes and even then they might not be expensive. You will have to make sure you replace the tubes with the proper ones, not hard at all. Most tubes were not designed for audio use keep that in mind, but at the same time that doesn't mean you can't use them. Tubes need to be broken in and essentially last forever too. Do let your tubes warm up for 10 minutes or so before listening. Anyhow I would replace the tube(s).

Since I've been into tubes I have picked up some real rare beauties and they sound great. Now I don't think you will be going after the exotics in your case. Only certain tubes command a high dollar. Basically you only need to change your tube(s) out for different ones (not the same exact ones now) for a suitable replacement.

gearyt · 01-02-2009, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strannix136

New tubes may very well make a difference. Depending on how old the amp is, filter capacitors could also cause noise by allowing ripple voltages into the audio path.

allstar780 · 01-02-2009, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strannix136

New tubes may very well make a difference. Depending on how old the amp is, filter capacitors could also cause noise by allowing ripple voltages into the audio path.

Its not that old... maybe 2 years.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdabb

What tube(s) are in your amp ???

Some tubes are more sensitive to microphonics and you may want to swap the tubes you have in it now for different ones. That doesn't mean you have to go out and buy a pair of NOS (New Old Stock) tubes and even then they might not be expensive. You will have to make sure you replace the tubes with the proper ones, not hard at all. Most tubes were not designed for audio use keep that in mind, but at the same time that doesn't mean you can't use them. Tubes need to be broken in and essentially last forever too. Do let your tubes warm up for 10 minutes or so before listening. Anyhow I would replace the tube(s).

Since I've been into tubes I have picked up some real rare beauties and they sound great. Now I don't think you will be going after the exotics in your case. Only certain tubes command a high dollar. Basically you only need to change your tube(s) out for different ones (not the same exact ones now) for a suitable replacement.

it uses 2x ECC85 and 1x EM87 tubes... i found some decent prices online for NOS tubes... I'll have to see what happens

01-02-2009, 04:51 AM	#1
allstar780 Special Member Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Mar 2008 Location:Grande Prairie, Alberta Home Theater Gallery:15 Blu-ray collection:115 Blu-ray reviews:2	Tube Amplifier Question So I recently received a free tube amp, which has been hand-cleaned... it sounds great but the right channel has a lot of noise (not very loud... mostly noticeable between songs during the silence) but basically I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions to remedy this? I checked all my connections and they're all good, I was thinking maybe replace the tubes?

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01-02-2009, 05:03 AM	#2
Big Daddy Blu-ray Champion Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Southern California Home Theater Gallery:79 Blu-ray collection:122 Trading Score:1	Read this article. http://www.mesaboogie.com/US/Dealers/FAQs/faqs.html

01-02-2009, 05:11 AM	#3
allstar780 Special Member Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Mar 2008 Location:Grande Prairie, Alberta Home Theater Gallery:15 Blu-ray collection:115 Blu-ray reviews:2	So I have to remove the grill style cover on the tubes and test them as that article states to diagnose the problem?

01-02-2009, 05:23 AM	#5
allstar780 Special Member Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Mar 2008 Location:Grande Prairie, Alberta Home Theater Gallery:15 Blu-ray collection:115 Blu-ray reviews:2	Well I played around with the layout of my setup a bit more and I think it may have been remedied by my removal of an old FM antenna from the back of my Onkyo amp (now being used as a pre-amp) as well as moving the speaker wires around a bit to where they are somewhat isolated... I'm still getting a slightly faint hiss and crackle, but I'm not gonna complain about it (i cant even hear it from my listening position) when the amp was free... I might change the tubes anyways though, just to see the difference better tubes will make thanks for the help Big Daddy

01-02-2009, 05:27 AM	#6
allstar780 Special Member Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Mar 2008 Location:Grande Prairie, Alberta Home Theater Gallery:15 Blu-ray collection:115 Blu-ray reviews:2	Oh.... I guess I should have let the amp warm up a bit more before posting that... the hiss/crackle is still there... just somewhat quieter... but not as quiet as I had thought.... I'll order some new tubes for it (what's $75 gonna hurt really?) and see what happens

01-02-2009, 05:33 AM	#7
Gremal Blu-ray Samurai Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Feb 2007 Location:Daddyland Home Theater Gallery:49 Blu-ray collection:184	You should do some troubleshooting. Swap the right channel power tubes for the left channel tubes. Let your amp warm up for a sufficient time. Make sure each tube is holding its bias. Then see if the noise has moved to the left channel. If so, you have confirmed the problem is the output tubes.

01-02-2009, 05:43 AM	#9
allstar780 Special Member Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Mar 2008 Location:Grande Prairie, Alberta Home Theater Gallery:15 Blu-ray collection:115 Blu-ray reviews:2	I just listened to all of Seal's new album Soul and I love the way the amp sounds.... I'll have to find some tools tomorrow and do a bit of diagnostic work i guess, I'll probably get some tubes either way though, because better tubes should make it sound better right? lol

01-02-2009, 01:04 PM	#10
Strannix136 Active Member Member since:Sep 2007 Location:Michigan Blu-ray collection:310 DVD collection:84 Blu-ray reviews:1	New tubes may very well make a difference. Depending on how old the amp is, filter capacitors could also cause noise by allowing ripple voltages into the audio path.

01-02-2009, 02:33 PM	#11
mdabb Power Member Member since:Jan 2008 Trading Score:1	What tube(s) are in your amp ??? Some tubes are more sensitive to microphonics and you may want to swap the tubes you have in it now for different ones. That doesn't mean you have to go out and buy a pair of NOS (New Old Stock) tubes and even then they might not be expensive. You will have to make sure you replace the tubes with the proper ones, not hard at all. Most tubes were not designed for audio use keep that in mind, but at the same time that doesn't mean you can't use them. Tubes need to be broken in and essentially last forever too. Do let your tubes warm up for 10 minutes or so before listening. Anyhow I would replace the tube(s). Since I've been into tubes I have picked up some real rare beauties and they sound great. Now I don't think you will be going after the exotics in your case. Only certain tubes command a high dollar. Basically you only need to change your tube(s) out for different ones (not the same exact ones now) for a suitable replacement.

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