So the consensus is I've got a bad power tube (?) - - I have another set I can swap in. Will try to do that in the next several days. (I've taken the Eastern Electric off-line and am using a back-up Denon SS integrated. Pain in the ass - - - will put new EL34's in the M520 next weekend and post the results.) Thanks to all.
Popping from tube integrated amp
I've owned an Eastern Electric M520 for about 3 years and have it connected to Omega Hemptones. I changed the EL34 tubes about three months ago from the stock Chinese tubes to NOS Mullards.
This afternoon about a minute after powering up the amp, very loud popping noise came through the speakers - - the popping was constant - about 90 to 100 pops per minute I would guess. The volume was at a (loud) constant level, regardless of where I set the volume control. The popping continued without regard to which input I selected.
After turning off the amp, I reseated the tubes and tried again - - same popping. The tubes all look normal - - no unusual visual cues.
Anyone have any idea what the problem is likely to be? Many thanks for any suggestions.
This afternoon about a minute after powering up the amp, very loud popping noise came through the speakers - - the popping was constant - about 90 to 100 pops per minute I would guess. The volume was at a (loud) constant level, regardless of where I set the volume control. The popping continued without regard to which input I selected.
After turning off the amp, I reseated the tubes and tried again - - same popping. The tubes all look normal - - no unusual visual cues.
Anyone have any idea what the problem is likely to be? Many thanks for any suggestions.