trouble in paradise - UPDATE

well, something is or has gone wrong. About the 10-12 hour mark of listening to my 6LU8, I heard a pop sound from the right channel. The pop repeated and increased frequency to about one pop per second or so.

Switched speaker leads, it is definitely the right channel. I turned it off, let it rest a bit, and sure enough it comes back right away. Looking at the tubes while this is going on there is no sparking or arcing. I cannot see any hot spot onthe amp components, even the 5W cathode resistors are not hot!

So, any 'typical' source of popping? Bad caps? Power supply? any feedback on how to track down would be helpful. I am going to check all the wiring etc. , but I why would it take this ;ong to show itself? The amp had been in use for about an hour or so, having listened to it for at least that long several times now without issue.

Update: reviewed a few 'popping' searches on AK, decided likely a tube, so I swapped tubes and pop switched. Saw a small arc during a pop. Not looking forward to buying new pair of tubes.😣

Roger

2 answers0 replies

2 Comments

Skunkie

Oct 05, 2023

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Sorry to hear that :( Possibly that channel imbalance you experienced was an indication one of the tubes wasn't in ideal codition?

Edited

Roger Ayotte

Oct 08, 2023

Replying to

got a cheap NOS on the way, Wasn't expensive at all. Hope it lasts. I think I got a failing tube. Glad it was the tube, as troubleshooting what else was wrong would have been tough. Although being independent of volume setting indicated it was in the output section. Anyway,

Keep on keeping on. I really enjoy the videos you produce, I have learned soooo much in the last 6 months it is crazy.

My next project is to put a phono stage in an identical 10"x6"x2"bllack chassis. I will put an el cheapo phono stage, as well as a power supply, and 3 way selector switch. I can upgrade to a better SS phono stage later. The EAR is just too much $$ right now. I have most of the accessory parts needed for this project, so it is sneaking in at under $50.

My TT is used and of unknown condiution, though it does turn at correct speed. and has a P mount cartridge.

Thanks again.

Roger