AudiogoN Forums: Question on NOS tubes bias doubt

Question on NOS tubes bias doubt

I just put a New pair of NOS KEN RAD VT-231 in my CARY SLP-05 pre buffer stage, one for left and one for right, it sounds bias to the left for around say 10-15%, so I turn it off and swap them to confirm if it is not my room acoustic nature, as expected, it now bias to right for same amount. My question is, is it so called BIAS and that is why most tube gear has bias adjustment function? And should this be happening when seller says it is a matched pair NOS? I can compensate it with the balance feature on Cary SLP-05, but I doubt this pair is not matched. The testing figure in fact being declared slightly different while most of them are.

Grandetech (Threads | Answers | This Thread)

08-13-08

Responses (1-10 of 10)

Click title to read one, or click date to read all below it.

08-13-08 I don't understand your question but that's a real nice soun ... Larryken

08-13-08 The ken-rads are some of the best vt-231's out there, but li ... Rodman99999

08-13-08: Newbee
If you are saying that the center image of your stereo systems drifts substantially with these two tubes that they must not be matched, despite what you have been told, I agree.

In fact I would suggest that not only were they not matched, but that the weak tube is close to dying. IME, other than an onset of noise or dullness, drifting is the hallmark of a tube which is about to die. IME, perhaps there are other reasons of which I'm not aware. I do not use this tube type.
Newbee (System | Reviews | Threads | Answers | This Thread)

08-15-08: Grandetech
Both Rodman9999 and Newbee understand exactly what my problem correctly, yes the image shift to one side 10-15%. Thanks for answering all my question precisely and confirmed. Now I have faith to speak with the seller and he sounds pretty responsible, I will post what the outcome is for future case reference to other members.
Grandetech (Threads | Answers | This Thread)

08-15-08: Reb1208
The tubes could be matched for triode balance and trans-conductance but not for gain. In this case, one tube appears to have higher gain than the other. Just use the balance trim to center the image and enjoy the tubes. That is why its there. On my Cary SLP-2002, I have to adjust the filament voltage on the circuit board with a meter, fidling with a small blue pot. Be glad the SLP-05 has the convenience of just turning a knob on the faceplate.
Reb1208 (Threads | Answers | This Thread)

08-16-08 "transconductance" is how you measure the "ga ... Rodman99999

08-18-08 Thanks for rodman99999 info, i further confirm one of the pa ... Grandetech

08-18-08 The tube becoming noisy that quickly also confirms mr n's re ... Rodman99999

08-18-08: Grandetech
True, Newbie concluded that precisely. Now that the seller tell me to send back to him for refund or replacement. Thanks all.
Grandetech (Threads | Answers | This Thread)

08-18-08 Hopefully your next pair will be in better condition. happy ... Rodman99999