Russian Tube Preamp, No Return, Here I go again

mx110z has an appointment with Ryan at Audio Classics, wed 8:15 am.

Russian Preamp arrived a few hours ago. Very nicely/safely packaged.

1. Took cover off, exactly like photos posted, EXCEPT all connections are made!
2. confirmed transformer is 120 volt.
3. they didn’t have a US power cord (it’s detachable type), so he gave me a Jeff Beck CD in the box. Got cord, Bill’s friends at Greenbrook Electronics, $4.00
4. four tubes, two 6n4p; one 6N23P; one 12ax7EH each tube marked,
5. BUT, no indication where they go in the unit. Seller will send photo with locations shown. That is quite a mistake. I recall he mentioned one customer put the tube in the wrong socket and blew the board. They sent him a replacement board and instructions how to change, but that never would have happened if they just included the photo or a diagram.


So, I’ll listen as usual via mx110z with my friend this afternoon.
I’ll test the Russian preamp via Office System, Carver Cube tonight
Tomorrow compare Russian to mx110z as-is.
Sunday, pull/take mx110z north to Vestal, NY to visit my two photo buddies I met online.
Wed. am mx110z to the doctor for checkup.

when mx110z gets back from the doctor I'll compare to the Russian again.

It ain't going well at all! I'm off for a week, just thought I'd let you know I might regret it this time.

Damn I wish I had seen that Luxman C35 before I ordered this. It was here in NJ for me to pick up, custom Rosewood Case, only $1,800. Would I have known how good a price that was? Would I have spent that much money? I'll never know.

Problem is noise, mostly hiss, some underlying hum. Unit waits 1 minute, then defaults to 10% volume, Phono. Noise, both channels, increases both channels as volume wicreases. Noise at all 3 line inputs, however the noise is louder at Phono input.

Same noise with no input, just it's output to my Cayin which doesn't know how to make noise.

............................

IF it was good when shipped, only 2 things changed

1. shipping (arrived in good shape)
2. changed power cord

Could it be the Power Cord?

It’s a detachable power cord. Seller didn’t have USA, so apologized, shipped with one with two round pins (no 3rd separate ground pin). He used a voltage converter to test it with the 120v transformer he put in. He said no noise.

I could use an adapter on his cord, or a replacement cord.

I bought a USA detachable cord, same fitting at unit, 2 flat blades, no 3rd ground pin, no wider blade for orientation. Just like what comes with many TT, like my Panasonic in the shop.

Never had a problem with any cord in my system. I could switch the cord I bought for the one downstairs, but if it was a power cord issue, that would be hum, not hiss correct?

The hiss sounds to me like old/bad tubes. 

Are you absolutely certain that you have the right tube in the right socket? Because if you have misplaced the tubes in their sockets, all bets are off, and any symptoms could be explained by that, particularly the ones you mentioned. And no, the power cord is not causing that much in the way of problems. Even if you think you installed each tube correctly, I would open the chassis and take another look at where you placed each tube in relation to the instructions you were evidently given.