Preamp popping!

@atmasphere thanks for the tip! Both tubes that went were new electro harmonix

So, in a very indirect and too much coffe way you're saying that it's normal. There's nothing wrong.

I'm curious as to why it only is happening now... Ah, back to searching. 

Also, the popping occurs independent of the volume control. Your comment on muting the pre made me think of that, so thanks!

I understand. But none the less.. If there's something faulty, I want to fix it. Ideas?

@newbee and @rodman99999 thank you.  that's the kind of input i was hoping for..

it turns out my 6V6 tube is starting to go.  i turned on the preamp and watched the tubes.  a huge arc shot from the top of the tube to the base.
i'm thinking that's not good.

so i put in the original junky one and will buy a new one.  odd, i had my pre serviced for a hum issue and since i've had it back this is the second of these tubes to go.  the tech gave me a new tube the first time it went.  this may point to a bigger issue.  or not.  i'm assuming the second until proven otherwise.

and thanks everyone, i've been on forums forever, i know how to search.. there was nothing i found specifically for my situation.  and guess what? now there is.  so the next time someone searches, this thread is another possible resource.  it's not like this forum is choked with traffic about whiners who have no idea how to basic troubleshoot.  i understand the startup procedure.  but some times i break the rules.  and when i had in the past there was never popping before.. 
i'm glad i found the source.

Ha! Thanks. I'm going to stick with the PROPER procedure for system turn on now. I've never seen a tube arc like that. Exciting!

Sorry, the 6v6 that died is on my preamp.

I have a class D power amp.. A Crown xls1500. 

@lowrider57 this pop was louder than the normal, quiet pop. This was super loud and did not sound 'healthy'. It turned out to be one of the power tubes on my preamp. When I turned the pre on, I actually saw a huge arc from the top of the tube to the bottom..!

So far, yes. So, while I really should follow the rules, it's good I turned everything on at once. Otherwise I'd never have heard the popping and never would have noticed the tube getting ready to explode. 

What's odd is that it started popping a few months ago, but then stopped. I guess that's how these things go..

@minorl right? I knew something was wrong because it didn’t pop like that normally and everyone is telling me I’m turning things on in the wrong order... I'm glad you caught that. I was wondering if I’d lost my ability to communicate

I still think it’s funny, reading this thread again, how much I was shouted at in the beginning about not following the right power on/off sequence. It goes to show you how we often form an opinion before we’ve heard all the facts. And I speak from experience.. lots of experience. ;-)

That's what I've mostly been doing lately: turn on pre, turn on amp, then the opposite for turn off: first the amps, then the pre.