Tube Phonostage Causing Rumble and Noises

Since the problem persists after tube swapping, I am beginning to suspect there are defective parts in the unit.

when lightning strikes twice, it cannot be just coincidence. Before I acquired the I/O, I got a Rhea Signature. The minute I turned it on, my jaw dropped to the floor seeing the speaker driver cones being pushed all the way out. It was a scary scene. I took the Rhea to a local tech. He did some measurements and concluded the Rhea was generating subsonic frequencies. I informed my distributor about the issue and he didn’t believe me. I took the Rhea to him and he witnessed his diver cones got pushed out all the way. He immediately promised a replacement and I opted for the I/O.

Can anybody offer some information about subsonic frequency coming out of a tube phono that is caused by failed or defective parts?

Thanks.

Thanks misstl. Jim White did mention RIAA curve boost. Jim also said it was impossible to eliminate the rumble to zero although I was assured the rumble was eliminated before I paid for the service. I don’t mind a little rumble but no one can listen to records while the entire room is shaking.

This is most puzzling.

One more idle thought -- turntables are mechanical devices and subject to wear over time -- just like your car tires and anything else mechanical. Might be worth trying a different turntable or two (preferably relatively new) in your setup and see how that affects things. It could be you have a worn bearing or some other issue, such as a suspension problem, as others have mentioned.

Not as bad as yours, but I had a version of this occurring when playing my turntable, utilizing the built in tube phono stage in my preamp.  The solution for me is to turn off the subwoofer that is near my turntable when playing vinyl.  No problem leaving the 2nd sub on that is some distance away.

You might try turning off your subwoofer/subwoofers as a test.

Thanks again misstl. I get the rumble when the turntable is not in use.

my turntable is about 6 or 7 years old. Lightly used because I listen to digital most of the time.