Papa - Channel 1 popping/crackling question?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ventura
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Ventura

Ventura

Well-known member
Herr Peter,

Every so often on Channel 1, VH4S, it pops and crackles - at any volume - intermittently. Is this a preamp tube issue?

Please let me know... I can replace all of them if need be; however, doesn't seem to be doing this on any of the other 3 channels.

Thanks,
V.
 
nbarts":1idcmz7c said:
Both sides?
Click to expand...

Good call, hard to say... Haven't isolated one side from the other - currently just going through a stereo 4x12. I'll try it though - happens so intermittently it'll be hard to know if indeed it is one side or both, might take several hours to find out.

What are your thoughts on this? If it's one side or both?

Cheers,
V.
 
If it's one side then it's a power tube, otherwise a preamp tube or something wrong with the preamp section. If it's crackling than it should be a tube & it probably happens on all the channel, but it gets mixed up with distortion with the other 3.
 
Just did a complete re-tube and re-bias with all new 6550's. My guess is, since it seriously does seem to be only noticeable on Channel 1, that it is a faulty preamp. I'll let you know what my investigations reveal ;)

V.
 
Just to bring anyone who was wondering about this little saga up to speed, I've ordered 2 x TAD 12AX7 for V1 and V2, and went with Chinese/Shuguang 'B' stock (typically called HG+ by the re-brands) 12AX7 for V3 thru V9 (VH4S). I'll let you know how this plays out with:

a) overall sound quality
b) removal of this intermittent snap/pop noise on Channel 1

I ran the config past Papa before ordering the tubes and got his thumbs up... I would have gone with all TAD but cats, those are NOT cheap!! :doh:

Chat soon,
V.
 
Ventura":302lof72 said:
Just to bring anyone who was wondering about this little saga up to speed, I've ordered 2 x TAD 12AX7 for V1 and V2, and went with Chinese/Shuguang 'B' stock (typically called HG+ by the re-brands) 12AX7 for V3 thru V9 (VH4S). I'll let you know how this plays out with:

V.
Click to expand...

Highgrade in all position?
 
More or less... I mean High Grade is HG is even better as HG+ according to the re-branding outfit Ruby or Groove.

So, if you look at a typical Shuguang 12AX7 it's an 'A' model - typical. No nonsense, hi gain preamp tubes. Then the 'B' models are the ones with lower noise floors, better control, less microphonics. As for the TAD, they're totally TOP drawer preamp tubes. But I just didn't see the need to go all out with 9 TAD's in my VH4S when really, the most critical are V1 and V2 - the rest of the business can be handled just fine with B side 12AX7's.

Will let you know how it sounds...

V.
 
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