Tube amp crackle noise with pre-amp volume at zero.


I changed out some stock EL 34s with a brand x on my prima luna Dialogue HP amp. Within seconds of powering up the amp with the pre-amp volume all the way down, I herd a crackle like noise from the speaker.  It was somewhat intermittent and random between the two speakers.  I shut it down, checked all connections, and started again with the same results.

I returned the stock tubes and everything is normal.  What happened?  I didn't have the guts to increase the pre-amp output! Tube microphonics? (spelling?) 
billtro

Showing 1 response by millercarbon

Many tubes have a small amount of gas or material inside, forget what they call it but its to facilitate electron transfer. This material can condense in different places when the tube is cold. Then as the tube warms up as the little bits turn back into gas or fly off in little pieces they of course go from electrode to anode and upon hitting the anode create a little voltage surge which we hear as a pop or click or static. 

Eventually this all settles down. Usually. We hope. Welcome to the wonderful world of valve amplification.