Tired of Problems with Tube Equipment

Rhljazz, I don't disagree that sometimes things work owning are worth the hassle, as I've done for quite a few years with the equipment I've had (and some cars too!). But (and using your car analogy), how would you feel if your BMW left you stranded far from home a couple of times a year (I actually own a BMW for 10 years and fortunately was only stranded once!)?

Mrjstark, yeah, you probably don't want to get too close to me! I actually had one piece of tube gear that NEVER had a problem in many years of use: the very inexpensive Antique Sound Labs AV-20 that I used in an office system.

Tvad, I have not owned any of the brands you've mentioned; I have owned about 6 or 7 different brands of tube equipment and they all had problems except for the one mentioned above. I have been thinking about class A solid state, although my green side also has me looking at some of the class D stuff (my current class A tube amps consume about 5 amps).

Wow; great responses! This may be somewhat off-topic from my original post (I AM allowed to hijack my own thread, eh?), but I'm wondering how close I can get with a good solid-state amp vs my class A SET tube amp I have now. I know there's been quite a few threads about this, but in my setup I use a Tact 2.2XP (room correction, EQ) which feeds a Lector 224 tube DAC, which then feeds the amps. So it's not a straight tube vs SS amp question, as I use the 2.2XP to EQ the signal (which can approximate some tube amps added midrange bump), and use tubes in the DAC.

How 'bout SnM R Us? Ha, just kidding! DIY sound great assuming one has time for a new hobby! I used to 'invent' electronic gizmos as a kid, even built a few speakers, but just don't have that kind of time at the moment...

"Smeyers - can you give us a rundown of some of the components you've had the problems you've described?"

Please take the following for what its worth. I've enjoyed all the equipment mentioned despite the problems I've had.

BAT vk-5i preamp - one channel popping and cracking due to blown capacitors in one channel; repaired by BAT.

Wright Sound Mono 10 amp - not sure what the actual problem is since I have not sent this one back yet, but one channel is way down in level. Also had to replace stock cheap speaker connectors which broke quickly. One of the switches that control the input connection has worked itself loose.

Cary/AES Sixpac amp - Blown bias pot, Jensen Oil Cap, and several resistors (oil from blown cap got all over the inside of the amp). This was an expensive repair and the bias is now much more sensitive on the repaired amp as compared to the other. I've also had more than my share of blown power tubes on this amp.

Audio Mirror SET 45 amp - Blew many fuses until replaced with higher value than supplied slow blow (Ok'd by the company). One tube not biasing (bad solder joint; I resoldered connection). After owning a very short time, two of the tubes won't bias within spec, and now getting popping noise from one channel. I do by the way really like the sound of the amp.

Lector Digicode 224 DAC - this was a two month odyssey as initially there was no-one in the U.S. that knew anything about the unit and Lector had no U.S. distributer. One channel was down in level that turned out to be a burned out component.

In contrast, I've had an Adcom GFA-555 solid state amp that had been in service for 20 years (and I bought it used); the only problem was a power switch that was easily replaced.

Well, I'm back in business after the last tube escapade. I suddenly had two separate problems: one tube in one channel wasn't measuring any bias voltage, and popping in the other channel. The was the reason that I started this post; two sudden problems which superseded the others I've had. Anyhow I was able to solve both problems without any major repair bills. The first problem was a wire that came off the bias measurement terminal which I resoldered. The second problem was a bad 6c33c power tube; luckily I had a replacement. So for the time being I'll continue tubing along!

Ralph, thanks for the info on the tube sockets for the 6c33 tubes; I do not know what type of sockets the amps have. I certainly do notice how hot these tubes get. What's your view of tube coolers; something like the Pearl coolers from Parts ConneXion?