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Random pop sounds in my system are scaring me

Hi, I need some help and expertise on this potentially expensive situation! The last few times I've powered up my 18wpc SET amp it has been plagued by some startling "pop" sounds at random intervals. The amp switch is in the mute position, with no source selected and yet at random intervals I hear an alarming pop sound coming from the speakers. The volume of the popping isn't SUPER loud, but it does startle me and has me worried. The weird thing is, sometimes it happens, sometimes it does not. I'll have to do some more testing, but I haven't noticed this happenig when a source is actually playing through the speakers. When I bias the tubes immediately after hearing a pop, I don't see any weird numbers or behavior on the bias meter. The amp is only about 3 months old and it took so long to get, I'd hate to lose it! I know it could probably be a million different things, but does anyone have an idea of what might be happening here? Help!
Thanks!
mbleming
kgturner's avatar
kgturner
663 posts
 
mbleming:

when people tell you to swap the tubes, they don't necessarily mean to buy a new set, they mean for you to take the tubes that run the right channel and place them in the sockets of the tubes that run the left channel, and vice versa. by switching the tubes positions in the amp, you can narrow down if it's a bad tube causing the pop as the pop will travel from one channel to the next.

now, if the popping is in both channels, it might not be a fault tube. as you stated, there are lots of variables at work. out of curiosity, what amplifier are you using?
mbleming OP
33 posts
 
The amp is an Almarro 318B, about 4 months old. I will try the tube swap, but I'm pretty sure its coming from both speakers. I could be wrong though as its tough to tell as I'm never ready for it when it happens!
Thanks
mbleming OP
33 posts
 
Well, I finally tracked down the culprit responsible for the random popping in my speakers...a bad 6C33C power tube. Thanks for all the assistance and suggestions, I should have just checked these first by swapping them to see if the popping sound switched speakers (which it did)...got a new one and everything is now fine.
rodman99999
6,158 posts
 
Good to hear you solved the problem!! Happy listening! =8^)
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