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Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum III crackling static in left channel

This has been going on almost as long as I've owned the amp, 5 years.  I bought it new in 2021, so it's 2 years out of warranty, so no help coming from manufacturer.

I can stop and or aggravate crackling by wiggling the tip of the left 12AX7, less so by touching the left 12AU7. I've transposed the two AX7s and it helps temporarily. I don't suspect the AQ Evergreen cable or its connection to the DAC.

I've tried switching inputs to Aux 1, Aux 2 and CD, but the noise occurs in all three.

Any thoughts, suggestions welcome.

 

dreedbollinger
dreedbollinger's avatar
dreedbollinger OP
4 posts
 

newbee + Mike B

Thanks!  I ever-so-slightly bent the pins, replaced, no crackling so far, even when nudged. Will eventually replace all small tubes with Au pins.

Btw, I emailed Rogue two days ago; not a peep so far.

buellrider97's avatar
buellrider97
944 posts
 

Email them directly or call tomorrow morning. Don’t start bending tube pins or trying to compress tube sockets. I have a Had Inspire that I should have used tube socket savers and they’re loose as a goose. I do not get any static from them being loose. I asked Rogue once about a non response to an email and it was a result of how I sent it. I’m not co-signing a lack of response, but I have had fantastic support. One time I had Nick and the repair tech on speaker phone for 30 minutes as they talked me through some live diagnostics. Then I had a big pop without any damage and they said better ship it. They fixed my known issue and diagnosed a pending issue too. FWIT I had my M-180’s upgraded to Dark status and fully retubed last time in. Get your amp repaired and retube it. Consider a full or partial upgrade to Dark. PM me on the side and we can talk tubes. Also there’s a Rogue owners group on Facebook , I’m considering joining. [email protected]
 

dogearedaudio's avatar
dogearedaudio
295 posts
 

You might also try cleaning the tube sockets with a bristled pipe cleaner and a tiny bit of DeOxit contact cleaner.

dreedbollinger's avatar
dreedbollinger OP
4 posts
 

Thanks for the tip, dogeared.yes

avanti1960
1,744 posts
 

@newbee 

this may sound weird but try it. 

Brent Jessee of audio tubes has a method for noisy tubes.  The noise is a result of material flakes shorting some of the pins temporarily.  

Pull the tube, grasp it firmly by the side length wise and carefully bang it against the side of something solid, side of tube to a solid vertical surface- e.g. side of a solid table, railing, desk etc,  Bang it a few times sharply but carefully,  rotate the tube by small amounts and repeat 3-4 times.  make sure the tube is horizontal and that you make contact with a vertical surface. 

I have done this successfully with several tubes and tube types.  Noise gone and did not return.  

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