Is rectifier tube arcing a problem?


I did some research and couldn’t find a definite answer.  I have an amp that I tried 6 different pairs of 5U4G and 5U4GB. 3 pairs has arcing (RCA 5U4G, TungSol, Svetlana 5C3S) and 3 pairs don’t (RCA 5U4G with hanging filament, EH 5U4GB, Sylvania 5931).  I took the amp to a technician and he checked everything, he can’t find anything wrong.  The problem is, I like the sound of the TungSol and Svetlana which both have arcing.  The technician said it is ok to keep using them, but honestly I am not too comfortable.  But I like their sound.  Is it really ok to keep using the arcing tubes?  Will it damage the amp?

 

 

gte357s

It is a Audio Note Kit Interstage 300B monoblock.   Here is the assembling instructions menu.  I have it built by someone and have another technician to go through it, so, I believe it is not a built issue.  It is design for 5U4G.  However, the company sells the kit, and doesn’t have much detail about the design.  Also, they make their own C-Core transformer.  I read that one possible reason is the transformer is “too good” and has a much lower resistance than others?  Anyway, I think this is more a compatibility issue.  
Any suggestion is appreciated, like adding resistor or capacitor somewhere.

Instruction manual

A 5U4 should handle that load just fine. I think you've had bad luck with tubes... Is this happening in both channels? Do both channels sound the same?

If this is "only" happening when you power down one of the amps and then restart it within a very short period of time, just wait longer (5-10 minutes).

If it happening @ other times, then it needs to be looked into.

I would not reuse a rectifier that I observed arcing, but I've always had plenty of spares.

I found a schematic of the power supply section @ the Steve Hoffman Forums, but could not link it.

I Googled your amp + rectifier and it came up on the first page of hits.

 

DeKay

 

 

Add a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor on the primary side of the power transformer and bypass it with a time delay relay may help.

 

Short answer is Yes, the arcing happens in both channel.  
 

for the 5C3S, at the beginning, I don’t think they arc.  Then after a month, both tubes arc.  For the RCA, they both arc right the way.  For the TungSol, so far, only one arc.  And when I switch the tube, same behaviour.  
 

maybe as you say I have bad luck, but the percentage seems too high, 50% or 3 out of 6 pairs arc.  That’s why I think could it be a me doing something wrong which cause this.  But there is only one button, I can’t think of anything except I didn’t wait long enough when restarting the amp.  
 

is it very common for 5U4G to arc?  I only have two amps that use 5U4G, and I didn’t roll the tube in my previous amp.