Hello all,
I built both an Elekit TU-8200 and TU-8500 preamp a couple years ago and have been very pleased with them.
Today I played one vinyl and it sounded great. Went to change the vinyl and the next one was much lower volume, had static/distortion in both channels, and the overall dynamic range was squashed (sounds small and thin). It isn't the vinyl, I've tried several and all of them sound like this now.
What could have happened? My first assumption was that a tube died. But I assume that would only affect one channel unless 2 different tubes had the same problem simultaneously (which seems very unlikely). Would a tube (either preamp or power tube) dying cause BOTH channels to be affected? Should I start tube rolling or is it a different problem? I can't imagine what else would have changed so suddenly that it was ok one minute and dead the next.
Thoughts?
Thanks so much in advance for any advice you can offer!
Best,
Josh
I built both an Elekit TU-8200 and TU-8500 preamp a couple years ago and have been very pleased with them.
Today I played one vinyl and it sounded great. Went to change the vinyl and the next one was much lower volume, had static/distortion in both channels, and the overall dynamic range was squashed (sounds small and thin). It isn't the vinyl, I've tried several and all of them sound like this now.
What could have happened? My first assumption was that a tube died. But I assume that would only affect one channel unless 2 different tubes had the same problem simultaneously (which seems very unlikely). Would a tube (either preamp or power tube) dying cause BOTH channels to be affected? Should I start tube rolling or is it a different problem? I can't imagine what else would have changed so suddenly that it was ok one minute and dead the next.
Thoughts?
Thanks so much in advance for any advice you can offer!
Best,
Josh
First find out what device is faulty, the amp or preamp by swapping out the phono preamp with another source. If the problem remains, the power amplifier has a problem.
Also, find the schematics for both devices. They will tell you if the tubes are shared between channels or if each channel has dedicated tubes. If they are shared, then it could be a tube issue.
Also, find the schematics for both devices. They will tell you if the tubes are shared between channels or if each channel has dedicated tubes. If they are shared, then it could be a tube issue.
Thanks for your suggestions!
Update, it isn't the amp or preamp. Work fine with another source. I pulled out the stylus on my TT and replaced it with a different one and the problem went away. The stylus was only about 6 months old and never dropped or damaged in any way. Any thoughts on why a stylus would just suddenly die between records? Literally played one record and it sounded fine, switch to another record when that ended and it is dead. I've swapped the styli back a forth a few times to make sure it wasn't just not seated well or something but it is consistent. Frustrating that a decent stylus (a bit under $200 just for the stylus) would die after only a handful of months.
Anyway, I'm glad there isn't anything more serious with the rest of the stereo system.
Update, it isn't the amp or preamp. Work fine with another source. I pulled out the stylus on my TT and replaced it with a different one and the problem went away. The stylus was only about 6 months old and never dropped or damaged in any way. Any thoughts on why a stylus would just suddenly die between records? Literally played one record and it sounded fine, switch to another record when that ended and it is dead. I've swapped the styli back a forth a few times to make sure it wasn't just not seated well or something but it is consistent. Frustrating that a decent stylus (a bit under $200 just for the stylus) would die after only a handful of months.
Anyway, I'm glad there isn't anything more serious with the rest of the stereo system.
Thanks rayma. I agree. The manufacturer says 1 year warranty but to contact the dealer first. I've already got a message in to them so hopefully this will get covered either through them or the manufacturer.