Are the tube amplifiers supposed to reflect sounds when the table they are on or the body of the amp is hit (like with the fingers)
I recently got a small tube amp and is doing this, not sure is a regular (bigger) amp will do it.
Thanks
I recently got a small tube amp and is doing this, not sure is a regular (bigger) amp will do it.
Thanks
This will happen because valves are 'microphonic'.
A shock will cause the internal electrodes to vibrate which affects the electron flow through the valve with audible effect.
A shock will cause the internal electrodes to vibrate which affects the electron flow through the valve with audible effect.
Try gently tapping each tube with an eraser. Probably the input tube will make noise in the speaker.
Sometimes the tube sockets need cleaning, sometimes it's the tube itself. If you can get the noise
by tapping the table that the amp is sitting on, try putting rubber decoupling feet under the amp.
Sometimes the tube sockets need cleaning, sometimes it's the tube itself. If you can get the noise
by tapping the table that the amp is sitting on, try putting rubber decoupling feet under the amp.
Last edited:
No.
Its a defect of one tube that has become "microphonic" . This tube has to be
replaced.
Depends on the tube. Some tubes are microphonic by nature. Others are pretty stable and could be a bad tube. What tubes are in the amp? There are several products to help like tube dampers, and feet to reduce vibration transfer. But let's start with what tubes are in it. Also what brand?
All tubes are microphonic. Some not much. Some way too much.
This fact limits the audio gain of radio sets (tubes in the speaker cabinet). Radio 1st-audio tube types are sometimes rated for minimum signal level to avoid hum and howl-round.
Low-low-level tubes in pro applications were often shock-mounted.
Many capacitors are microphonic. Some coax cable is too.
This fact limits the audio gain of radio sets (tubes in the speaker cabinet). Radio 1st-audio tube types are sometimes rated for minimum signal level to avoid hum and howl-round.
Low-low-level tubes in pro applications were often shock-mounted.
Many capacitors are microphonic. Some coax cable is too.
Found the issue... Like perturb said, one of the tubes was damaged. weird thing is that it is the "NOS" that I recently added. (note this was a Chinese made amp with cheap tubes) so adding the RCA should have improved. LOL, well back to buying tubes to see if there is something better out there.
Quick answer - don't believe everything you read on ebay!
I always buy from a reputable company who can supply a proper description e.g.: ECL82-MAZDA MULLARD
I always buy from a reputable company who can supply a proper description e.g.: ECL82-MAZDA MULLARD
Ebay is a crap-shoot when it comes to tubes. You takes your chances, or you buy from a trusted seller.
jeff
THE SKY IS FALLING. WEAR SAFETY HELMET AT ALL TIMES.
I have 4 hammond organs three with 23 tubes and one with 14. I have a ST70 (7) & PAS2 (5). None of the above make noise in the speaker at idle when I tromped around on the wood floors of my houses. The 1961 AR turntable sure did, so I sold it off.
One of the Hammonds has 10 uf caps in it replaced with aerovox gold ceramic. No problem with those either.
So the stock of tubes I have are of the "not very much microphonic" category.
I buy used organs on craigslist instead of "NOS" tubes on ebay. Much better source of tubes never removed for cause or red plated for that "special sound".
You are in the US where a number of good tube sellers are.
DON'T BUY FROM EBAY.
Try Vintage Tube Services.
Regardless, there's no guarantee that expensive NOS tubes will be any better than new manufacturer.
DON'T BUY FROM EBAY.
Try Vintage Tube Services.
Regardless, there's no guarantee that expensive NOS tubes will be any better than new manufacturer.
LOL ... I buy all my tubes from eBay. You can figure out who the legitimate sellers are just look at their feedback and you can usually weed them out by how they post test results and what tester they used. I've bought hundreds of tubes that way and not sure I ever had a bad one yet.
What tube type does your amp take?
What tube type does your amp take?
By definition, OS tubes are not being made any more.
When one tests bad or rejected by buyer, it is not smashed with a hammer but put back on a shelf, and hopefully being resold later.
Given enough time, only junk remains.
Natural selection.
So the question now is, if I only use the tube that is microphonic with a headphone, will it sound good or still its characteristics will be changed and sound worse?
Current one is a headphone amp Little Bear p7 2x 5670 (2C51 396A 6N3P) TUBE) and a 6AS7
the 6AS7 was a RCA that has the problem.
I also have coming another headphone amp Darkvoice 336s, which I was going to use the RCA 6AS7.
Even RS Components sells Chinese valves.
The last one I bought was very microphonic.
Buy a good make from a reputable dealer.
Tubes (thanks God) age/wear sllloooowwwwllllyyyyy unless you redplate , overvolt or abuse them in some way.
Guess that´s not the case with Headphone amps (I might be surprised though) so if it "sounds good" today, it should still sound good a few years ahead.