2. amps-preamps
  3. 161387-96791

Constant noisy tubes maybe go solid state?

I have a Quicksilver Line Stage Preamp (12AT7) mated to an Odyssey Khartago Stereo. Overall I like it. Way too much gain but I digress. Weeks after receiving it I rolled in a few different tubes, kinda fun to color the sound signature. I liked rhe RXA black plates I got and those stuck around for more than a year. They started going microphonic and making noises so I ordered another pair (noisy) then another different vendor (blasts of white noise) and another set that arrived today (one is noisy as holy hell and one seems fine).

So where does one order preamp quality tunes that are quiet? Is there something I’m not requesting when ordering? Maybe dump
snd go solid state? I’m trying to be humorous because I’m pissed. Ha.
gochurchgo
rodman99999
6,188 posts
 
Yep; nice gear.     Just mismatched.    If I were trying to adjust the system, from the preamp end; I’d start with the 12AU7, which will reduce gain by around 60% (compared to 12AT7), in that stage.      No need to spend a lot, just to get an idea of how things are affected, at first.
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,763 posts
 
@gochurchgo
" I think my system sounds better than it has any right to considering it’s all mid-fi stuff. "
 You should try the SYS in-between  the phono preamp and the preamp.
Why do you consider your gear Mid-Fi?
gochurchgo OP
923 posts
 
@rodman99999  I will try that after thanksgiving. We have many turkeys to buy this year.

@yogiboy  well it’s not anything to make people gasp. But it makes me happy when I actually get to spin a few sides. No piece over $1700 other than the speakers which I did get 1/3 off. So still a good deal. Looking forward to upgrading my phono stage (Lounge LCR MKIII) to takes things up a notch. 
invalid
1,246 posts
 
If you have to stick with the 12at7 I would order the phono stage graded tubes from vintage tube service, Andy really does test them for microphonics.
buellrider97's avatar
buellrider97
424 posts
 
  If you try 12AU7’s , cut to the chase and get a pair of NOS Telefunkens, the highest grade you can find . I have multiple pairs . The Tektronix and the black G73-R’s are outstanding . If you want a smidge brighter the Seimens Silver plates are the way to go . Either will out perform any RCA . 
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