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Tube Questions - Audio Research Reference 5

Hello All,

I have an Audio Research Ref 5, recently, there has been some related noise ( am assuming ) at around 950 hours of use. It only affected the right channel. Ive ordered replacement tubes, but on the meantime replaced the 4 linestage 6H30 Solvtek Tubes with the ElectroHarmonix Gold Plated Version. The 2 tubes in the power stage remained the same. There was some improvement, but it seems the bass is still rolling off on the right channel. I had a few questions:

1. What does a bad tube in the powerstage VS linestage sound like?

2. Is it possible that a bad tube on a REF 5 in the powerstage can affect only 1 channel?

Thanks in advance for your help.
shanghait

Showing 1 response by daisiu

daisiu
20 posts
 
I have a Ref5 with the same problem, but it was the 6H30 tubes that were the issue. My dealer sent me a pair in exchange with the problematic ones.

If you bought from an authorized dealer I suggest you do the same. I also called ARC's office, and they were the ones who helped me pinpoint this problem. They are very helpful and very courteous, I suggest you give them a call.
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