Joule Electra VZN 100 Need help

Desalvo55, the tube sockets in that amp overheat as they were never intended to handle the filament currents that a 6C33 requires. So the filament connections tend to develop bad connections after a while. If the socket is not too far gone the filament connections (the 4 opposite the large pin) can be retightened and you will be good to go for a while.

Eventually though the socket will fail and should be replaced. This will be evident as tightening the filament pins will not seem to last so long before the tube won't light up properly again.

The Russians spec'ed the socket to be replaced every time the tube is replaced, as they primarily used the tube for military purposes. So when that tube first made it into this country (BTW we were the first US manufacturer to use them in a product) the socket was shipped with the tube.

In consumer gear though there is an expectation that the socket will last longer than that and they do. But you should be aware that they do have a service life that is measured in 1000s of hours rather than in years or decades like most tube sockets. Realistically I think you can get about 10,000 hours out of them- that will vary depending on how hot the amp is actually getting.

(FWIW it was this tube socket thing that convinced us to stay with the tubes that we use in our OTLs.)

Wow, that is really great information.

I got no help, no love from Jud. But many fellow audio guys have really come to my rescue. When something breaks (or I break something) in my house, in about 1 day someone has a spare for me to use till I'm up and running. The wife is really impressed by us audio guys.

It's really cool to be a part of something that so many share a passion in and, generally have a really good core.

I think "reboot" was the answer.

" think "reboot" was the answer"

I believe this is what Jud wrote to you when you suggested to restore old wiring...

Its not in his habbit to write long e-mails.

You love you amp ? Enjoy it and thanks designer.

Next time before you will wish to "improve" and to "mod" compex engineering stuff - you will give it to qualified hands and may be, just may be consult designer before hand.

I am glad that it ended well! Congratulations, we all know these tortures with "new and improve" stuff

Rafael

As Dob suggests, I don't believe many manufacturers would be willing and happy to assist with non-factory modifications to their products. In that regard I don't think anyone can fault Joule (Jud) for suggesting anything other that a return (reboot) to the stock configuration.

I'm not saying none of us should never attempt to improve on a factory stock design. But if we do, how fair is it then to expect warranty coverage (not the case here) or hand holding if something goes wrong?