Cracking sound through speakers.

magpietim · 21st October 2005, 01:03 PM

Hi guy's,

I'm a newbie to valve amps and i've just partnered my class-d power amp with a valve pre using 2x ECC82 and 1x ECC83 double triode valves....it's a commercial one not built by me.

Although it does sound wonderful and i love it already it seems to be suffering from a little problem, at random intervals i get a loud cracking noise through the speakers...seems like it's picking up mains spikes but not sure...it doesn't affect the sound before or after the noise...any one help me...do i need a filter?...it's scaring the wife.
I wasn't getting the problem with my old transistor pre-amp.

Another question i have is, it came with valve marked Ei are these any good and could i change them for the same tubes from different manufacturers, which are best?
Thanks for the help in advance.
Tim.

Sch3mat1c · 22nd October 2005, 06:10 AM

Ignoring the class D amp for the time being...

Did you try moving the tubes in their sockets? Sometimes bad contacts can cause noise. Do you have other tubes of the same type on hand? You might have a bad one.

I've had a few 6GH8As which generally worked fine but had amazingly loud noise, from hissing to crackling of the same description. The cure? Use a different tube...

Tim

magpietim · 22nd October 2005, 07:18 PM

Thanks Tim for that reply...i haven't got any other tubes at the moment but i'll get some....the fault doesn't appear to be channel related, seems to happen across both channels but i'll swap them around and see if reseating them helps.
Can anybody recommend any good makes?
Tim.

anatech · 22nd October 2005, 08:59 PM

For now, try Electroharmonix. They don't cost a lot and the performance is good.

-Chris

magpietim · 23rd October 2005, 02:33 PM

Cheers Chris...i'll look around for some.

Tim.

anatech · 23rd October 2005, 03:53 PM

Hi Tim,
Since you are in the UK, try any decent brand that isn't terribly expensive. I have not had good luck with Chinese tubes.

Sorry, I should have noticed your location when I posted earlier. If you can get Electroharmonix there, then great.
-Chris

21st October 2005, 01:03 PM	#1
magpietim diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Nottingham	Cracking sound through speakers. Hi guy's, I'm a newbie to valve amps and i've just partnered my class-d power amp with a valve pre using 2x ECC82 and 1x ECC83 double triode valves....it's a commercial one not built by me. Although it does sound wonderful and i love it already it seems to be suffering from a little problem, at random intervals i get a loud cracking noise through the speakers...seems like it's picking up mains spikes but not sure...it doesn't affect the sound before or after the noise...any one help me...do i need a filter?...it's scaring the wife. I wasn't getting the problem with my old transistor pre-amp. Another question i have is, it came with valve marked Ei are these any good and could i change them for the same tubes from different manufacturers, which are best? Thanks for the help in advance. Tim.

22nd October 2005, 06:10 AM	#2
Sch3mat1c diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Milwaukee, WI	Ignoring the class D amp for the time being... Did you try moving the tubes in their sockets? Sometimes bad contacts can cause noise. Do you have other tubes of the same type on hand? You might have a bad one. I've had a few 6GH8As which generally worked fine but had amazingly loud noise, from hissing to crackling of the same description. The cure? Use a different tube... Tim __________________ See my Electronics webpage -- the home of Vacuum Tube Drag Racing. The key to being a successful Audiophile: "I reject your reality and substitute my own!"

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22nd October 2005, 07:18 PM	#3
magpietim diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Nottingham	Thanks Tim for that reply...i haven't got any other tubes at the moment but i'll get some....the fault doesn't appear to be channel related, seems to happen across both channels but i'll swap them around and see if reseating them helps. Can anybody recommend any good makes? Tim.

22nd October 2005, 08:59 PM	#4
anatech diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Georgetown, On	For now, try Electroharmonix. They don't cost a lot and the performance is good. -Chris

23rd October 2005, 02:33 PM	#5
magpietim diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Nottingham	Cheers Chris...i'll look around for some. Tim.

23rd October 2005, 03:53 PM	#6
anatech diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Georgetown, On	Hi Tim, Since you are in the UK, try any decent brand that isn't terribly expensive. I have not had good luck with Chinese tubes. Sorry, I should have noticed your location when I posted earlier. If you can get Electroharmonix there, then great. -Chris

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