Tube Phonostage Causing Rumble and Noises
Hello, I am desperate in need for advices and help.
I have a Aesthetix I/O Eclipse (one power supply) that I acquired new in 2009. It started to make the SVS SB16 Ultra subwoofer rumble a few months ago. I sent it back to Aesthetix, they performed a bunch of upgrades and replaced 4 tubes in gain stage one claiming these would help with the noises.
When I got it back three months later, the rumble got a bit better but it was still there. Then Aesthetix sent me a new set of tubes claiming there were specially selected and tested for low noise. However, they didn’t eliminate the rumble.
Then I played a record to during the test, the unthinkable happened. When the phonostage is idle, there was just rumble. As soon as a signal was passed from the phono, the sub went crazy, it produced some subsonic noise that made the room shake. I then connected the phono to a tube integrated amp and I heard a loud distorted noise through my LS 3/5A.
The strange thing is that I have no issues using the I/O with my Apogee Fullrange without the sub.
I would appreciate any shape or form of advice/help.
Thanks in advance and Happy New Year!
Thanks, jetter. If I can’t resolve the issue, that’s the only option. Luckily Aesthetix makes good phono. It is just as enjoyable with or without a subwoofer. To me, the primary issue is not whether I use the sub or not. I am deeply concerned that the I/O is generating a subsonic frequency that could damage speakers with cone drivers, like what happened to the Rhea. |
I assume you mean by not in use as not playing a record but still connected and selected as the source. If this is the case, your table/cartridge is picking up subwoofer output and amplifying it somehow. Airborne or structural. Fit Nobsound springs under sub to decouple from floor. Or, if you disconnect the tonearm connection into the phono, and it’s still causing rumble from sub, then, yes something is amiss with the phono amp. Can you verify if this is the case? There is an unlikely possibility that components in the unit are microphonic. Given that you’ve experienced this with 2 units, it’s likely something else is going on unrelated to the phono amps.
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If you want to try a rumble filter, I can send you one to try out. I believe it is an RF-5 I purchased from KAB. I used it for years until I bought a Technics SL 1200G. My previous VPI Prime and Scout needed the filter. I can send it to you and if it works, we can talk price. If it doesn’t, you can send it back. If interested, send me a PM. Bob |
@bpoletti is correct. Your turntable is sitting in a “hot spot”, a zone where bass frequencies are being amplified. If it’s near a corner, try moving it. |
