2. analog
  3. 1212270788

What do defective phono tubes sound like?

I have noticed some rather loud energy discharges when playing LP's.Sort of an abrupt popping.Not unlike static discharge.I do not get this with my digital playback.
The ONLY change made to my system lately has been a new arm.The problem began immediately "after" it's installation.It was just fine with the previous arm.

I don't want to make this an "arm" mfgr thing(and will not mention arm name)but wonder if the phono tubes in use(very NOS Siemens CCa's,with low hours)can be the culprit.

This is making me pull my hair out,and I have little already.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
sirspeedy

Showing 2 responses by dougdeacon

dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
SirSpeedy,

Any chance it's mistracking? (I know you'd have recognized that, but thought I'd cover all the bases.)

Diagnostic question: do these pops happen in both channels or just one?

I'd put a small wager on a loose connection at the cartridge pin(s). Check those carefully for tightness and clean the pins and clips. For cleaning gold, see the last paragraph.

We had a similar LP-only problem last winter, in the R channel only, which made diagnosis easier. Turned out to be slightly spread connectors in one pin holder of one tube socket in the phono stage. I tightened the two clips carefully with a fine tweezers and the problem was resolved. So when you pull your tubes check the connectors in each hole before reinstalling, and clean all the pins and pin holders of course.

For cleaning gold connectors Paul recommends (and we use) a very gentle rubbing with a paper towel. Nothing stronger or more expensive is needed, nor does it require any chemicals. Gold oxidizes in a layer that's basically one molecule thick and it only takes a gentle buffing to remove. Do NOT use a Magic Eraser! ;-)

Good luck,
Doug
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
Keep your chin up SirS. Friday night our system sounded terrible. No life, no snap, just dull, dull, dull. I gave up and we went out for dinner. Yesterday I realized I'd moved VTF in the wrong direction. Doh! When I fixed that the music all came to life again. I rewarded myself by demagging some power tubes. Woh! Just like Dan_Ed told me. :-)

I know what you mean about the tweeters in your Avalons. I'd be sick if I killed one of our diamond tweeters but at least I could get a replacement. Like you I don't think we could stand going back to something slower, we are so spoiled. ;-)

Cte500 - if your pins/connectors are gold (plated), read the last paragraph of my previous post. If they're not, a different answer might apply.
More to discover