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tube amp noise


I have an integrated tube amp and recently started noticing a small popping noise coming from the speakers once in a while. If I get near the tweeter (< 1'), I hear a background hiss and a small pop every minute or so. Most of the time, the pop sound can be only heard less than a foot or two from the tweeter. Is this normal tube amp behavior or is something wrong? I.e. do all tubes make any popping sound in addition to low level hiss? I changed tubes and still the same thing. Thanks for any help.
plaser
thorman
1,262 posts
 
My Guess :Time for new tubes!!!!!!!
almarg's avatar
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
No, I don't think that is normal.

Given that you've changed the tubes with no improvement, I'd have to say that unfortunately it will probably be difficult to isolate. I would think the most likely bet would be a capacitor or other component that has to handle high voltage, and is starting to break down under that stress.

But external sources would be possibilities as well, such as rfi/emi being picked up through the air or the power line when an appliance or other high current device elsewhere in the house cycles on or off.

Sorry I can't offer any more concrete suggestions.

Regards,
-- Al
dfhaleycko
178 posts
 
If you gently tap on the faceplate do you get any noise? If your tubes are going microphonic, they'll definitely be noisy.

Sometimes, however, this could be a sign that the tube sockets themselves have some slight corrosion. Removing and re-inserting the tubes a few times might clean up the problem (and it's a cheap fix!)

HTH
lapierre
547 posts
 
I would also double check the fuse to see if there is some slight coloration on the glass.

How many tubes do you have to replace?
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