2. amps-preamps
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Wiggle kt170 base

Hello everyone,

 

The sound on my tube amp was pretty good with the kt170. But I made a mistake. I took out the 4 kt170s and put in kt120 to understand the differences more. Next day I put back the the kt170 each into their exact slot from before. 

 

There is hissing on the right speaker and a rare medium pop now. The very left kt170 has a very slightly loose base. Does this affect sound? I have no more intention of removing the kt170s if the loose base doesn't affect sound I'm fine to leave as is. 

 

Could you teach me more about this hissy sound? I didn't touch any of the pre-amp tubes and they are all mostly nos. The hiss is softer today than it was yesterday.

128x128samureyex
petg60
1,486 posts
 

Assuming you unplugged and plugged the proper way and the tube does not show any play on its integral base then check amps tube base for any slack or whether there is a broken joint. Seems to be a bad connection (rare medium pop) and hiss from that channel.

oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,797 posts
 

When you mean loose base are you talking about the physical connection between the tube and socket or is the tube’s base wiggling, is the glass not cemented to the base ?   

oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,797 posts
 

Any play in the tube’s base / glass , you should get rid of that tube immediately.   If the tube is loose in the socket the socket’s holes need to be re-tensioned.  They are not gripping the pin well.   This can potentially be harmful and should also be addressed 

jetter
3,033 posts
 

If the tube is loose in the socket, one way to address the problem is to re-tension the socked holes as mentioned above.

There is an easier way to address the problem I have used several times and was recommended by a distributer: using a very small pair of pliers, gently alternate bending every other tube pin in and the next pin out.  Less than a hair is all it takes.

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