Why does my tube amp make a scratchy, popping sound?

longdrive55 · 7th August 2009, 02:42 AM

After my amp warms up, it gets a random scratchy sort of clicky, popping, static sound. The sound most reminds me of the sound of a needle in the grooves of a dirty album. It's not consistent either. It sort of comes and goes and can get pretty loud at times.

The sound only starts once the map gets very warmed up (1/2 hour to an hour after start-up).

I have tried changing tubes with no luck. All of the capacitors are new in the amp, except the Cap Can in the power supply. Also, there are a number of older carbon composition resistors in the signal path.

All the voltages are correct in all the right spots in the circuit, so there are no obvious issues.

Any ideas anyone?

Wavebourn · 7th August 2009, 02:58 AM

Any carbon comp resistors inside?

quadtech · 7th August 2009, 06:54 AM

Did you check for loose sockets?

longdrive55 · 7th August 2009, 05:49 PM

Yes, there are Carbon Comps in the circuit and in the signal path. I know it may be time to replace those.

Also, it did seem that the RCA jack might be the culprit. This is an older console amp with an RCA jack that is riveted in (not screwed in). As I messed with this, it seemed I was able to totally stop the static sound, but I'm betting it will return.

I'm thinking its time to rebuild the circuit entirely (including carbon film resistors, new cap cans and new RCA and speaker jacks) throughout. Just have to bite the bullet and get started.

Thanks

Brit01 · 7th August 2009, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Yes, there are Carbon Comps in the circuit and in the signal path.

How do you recognize CC resistors?

Matt.B.H. · 7th August 2009, 07:33 PM

They normaly look something like this:

http://www.apexjr.com/images/APEXJRA...RESISTORS1.jpg

Just a picture from a google search.

Older ones have leads that come out at right angles to the body and painted spots rather than bands. You dont see many these days:

http://www.mcclellans.com/images/Phi...Dogbones-1.jpg

Cheers Matt.

Gorgomat · 7th August 2009, 10:49 PM

Hi,

have you checked the rectifying diodes ( or bridge rectifier) and the cap can in the power supply ?

Best regards,

George

I had a similar problem, one Diode 1N4007 was faulty..

Wavebourn · 7th August 2009, 11:14 PM

If you can't fix it you may bring it here, I'll help.

pointy · 8th August 2009, 12:07 AM

if it only happens when the amp gets hot I would think its thermal expansion.
which can make and brake dry joints or the wire to ring connection in wire wound resistors, it can also happen in side tubes.
it can be a right ^£&%" as you can miss it if testing with the amp cold so you may need to run the amp until the problem starts then disconnect from mains and discharge real quick, and then run tests.

maybe...............?

limono · 8th August 2009, 04:06 AM

Try replacing anode resistors on driver tubes. I had this problem with new Dale 1W resistors .I replaced tubes , sockets , bypass caps etc before I've got to those anode resistors.Pull the driver tubes first and check if the problem is still there .If yes its going to be related to output stage or PSU.

7th August 2009, 02:42 AM	#1
longdrive55 diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Northern California-Bay Area	Why does my tube amp make a scratchy, popping sound? After my amp warms up, it gets a random scratchy sort of clicky, popping, static sound. The sound most reminds me of the sound of a needle in the grooves of a dirty album. It's not consistent either. It sort of comes and goes and can get pretty loud at times. The sound only starts once the map gets very warmed up (1/2 hour to an hour after start-up). I have tried changing tubes with no luck. All of the capacitors are new in the amp, except the Cap Can in the power supply. Also, there are a number of older carbon composition resistors in the signal path. All the voltages are correct in all the right spots in the circuit, so there are no obvious issues. Any ideas anyone?

7th August 2009, 02:58 AM	#2
Wavebourn diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Pleasant Hill, CA	Any carbon comp resistors inside? __________________ If I disappear suddenly, that means I finally created a time machine and pushed wrong button that brought me to Stalin's Russia. In any experiment any result is the result. Even if it is negative.

7th August 2009, 11:14 PM	#8
Wavebourn diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Pleasant Hill, CA	If you can't fix it you may bring it here, I'll help. __________________ If I disappear suddenly, that means I finally created a time machine and pushed wrong button that brought me to Stalin's Russia. In any experiment any result is the result. Even if it is negative.

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7th August 2009, 06:54 AM	#3
quadtech diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2007	Did you check for loose sockets?

7th August 2009, 05:49 PM	#4
longdrive55 diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Northern California-Bay Area	Yes, there are Carbon Comps in the circuit and in the signal path. I know it may be time to replace those. Also, it did seem that the RCA jack might be the culprit. This is an older console amp with an RCA jack that is riveted in (not screwed in). As I messed with this, it seemed I was able to totally stop the static sound, but I'm betting it will return. I'm thinking its time to rebuild the circuit entirely (including carbon film resistors, new cap cans and new RCA and speaker jacks) throughout. Just have to bite the bullet and get started. Thanks

7th August 2009, 07:33 PM	#6
Matt.B.H. diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cheltenham	They normaly look something like this: http://www.apexjr.com/images/APEXJRA...RESISTORS1.jpg Just a picture from a google search. Older ones have leads that come out at right angles to the body and painted spots rather than bands. You dont see many these days: http://www.mcclellans.com/images/Phi...Dogbones-1.jpg Cheers Matt.

7th August 2009, 10:49 PM	#7
Gorgomat diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2009	Hi, have you checked the rectifying diodes ( or bridge rectifier) and the cap can in the power supply ? Best regards, George I had a similar problem, one Diode 1N4007 was faulty..

8th August 2009, 12:07 AM	#9
pointy diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2009	if it only happens when the amp gets hot I would think its thermal expansion. which can make and brake dry joints or the wire to ring connection in wire wound resistors, it can also happen in side tubes. it can be a right ^£&%" as you can miss it if testing with the amp cold so you may need to run the amp until the problem starts then disconnect from mains and discharge real quick, and then run tests. maybe...............?

8th August 2009, 04:06 AM	#10
limono diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2007	Try replacing anode resistors on driver tubes. I had this problem with new Dale 1W resistors .I replaced tubes , sockets , bypass caps etc before I've got to those anode resistors.Pull the driver tubes first and check if the problem is still there .If yes its going to be related to output stage or PSU.

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