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
leemaze
332 posts
 
@gochurchgo I'm giving up and going back to solid state - 4th round of tubes are microphonic.  These ones aren't noisy or hissy but they project *everything* through the speakers - like tapping on the floor and lightly rubbing the top of the amp.  Tube seller tried to tell me "this is normal, all tubes are microphonic".  Am i crazy?
gochurchgo OP
925 posts
 
@leemaze The Mullards from Upscale were quiet after I put the attenuators on. I have so much gain in my system that I really don't know what anything means anymore other than the first set of RCA's I got early last year must have been perfect because they were 100% noise free without any attenuation.
So for now I'm just going to try to acquire the next piece which is a phono stage and although I'd like to go tube, I'm admittedly hesitant.
What is you set up?
dave_b's avatar
dave_b
3,159 posts
 
Krell K300i...Class A sound, 150w/ch @8ohms....under rated power and so much like a high powered tube amp...without the haze or glare.
leemaze
332 posts
 
@gochurchgo ive got a Yamaha A-S2100 on the way in the post. In the meantime, I just went back to my Rega Brio-R - other than the French Mazdas (which were super 3D) the tubes don’t add much other than hiss and whine! Bye bye tubes. 
leemaze
332 posts
 
Welp, spoke too soon? My Yamaha seems to be lost in the post and meanwhile I received some RCA clear tops that I had already ordered from a seller on eBay. Just popped them in- DEAD silent. No microphonics. Super separation. Clear, velvety and delicious sound. Wow. 
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