What are the symptoms of tube(s) going bad?

polkatese

Not yet. I did vacuumed the inside of the enclosures about a month ago. Might try your suggestion this weekend. Thanks Heiney.

jhw59

dorokusai wrote: »

www.caig.com

I've used the SWPP with great results on tube sockets. Or just wiggle it around a little and let the clamps break the contact point up.

thanks!

SCompRacer

My gear uses a 5687 military tube.

A 5687 variant, the 6900, was used in ICBM warheads. It is a very robust tube with ceramic spacers. It has twice the transconductance of a 5687. It is rated for a 500G impact shock load and 50G vibrational acceleration. The 6900 was originally manufactured by the infamous Bendix Redbank Division. MU Engineering bought the Redbank Division, rebranded existing stock and continued to manufacture tubes on Bendix tooling. I've not heard a difference between either brand. I sold off the more expensive Bendix and kept the MU's.

polkatese

That's one cool tube Rich!

polkatese

Guys, Let's say that after I wiggled the tube, it plays fine again, does replacing it with a newer tube makes it sound better? think of it like replacing the bulb/lamp of a RPTV, which would make it looks like brand new again. Does tube degraded over time like a RPTV bulb? sorry if it sounds like a rather obscure question..

hearingimpared

polkatese wrote: »

Guys, Let's say that after I wiggled the tube, it plays fine again, does replacing it with a newer tube makes it sound better? think of it like replacing the bulb/lamp of a RPTV, which would make it looks like brand new again. Does tube degraded over time like a RPTV bulb? sorry if it sounds like a rather obscure question..

That could definitely mean that the tube pins were grimey or loose in the mounts, however, when a tube is going south they usually go intermitent first then just degrade over time. Unless of course you get a power tube that just goes "super nova" like the one Doro described.

polkatese

thanks Joe. I pray to God that none of my gears ever go supernova on me, no matter how cool that is, and how's that made Mark went into ecstatic mode.

hearingimpared

polkatese wrote: »

thanks Joe. I pray to God that none of my gears ever go supernova on me, no matter how cool that is, and how's that made Mark went into ecstatic mode.

I witnessed a go partial super nova at an audio show at Quest for Sound. He had an awesome Raysonic integrated tube amp that had those power tubes with the second anode type connector on the top go kablooey while we were listening to some Pink Floyd and it was kind of cool looking. Kind of like enclosed fireworks. BTW those tubes were huge and shaped like the old long necked light bulbs and hotter than hell.

polkatese

So, I took the tube out and cleaned the pins. Put it back and right now checking it out. So far so good, haven't heard the problem.

As it turned out, the tube is 6H30pi-EB variant. I googled it and it is supposed to be higher reliability and long lasting tube (-EB). I have ordered the regular Sovtek. Anyone familiar with it? The most expensive is the -DR variant ($150+), but from what I read, all of them are sort of the same. I was looking at the -EH variant (Electro Harmonics) with gold pins. It is about $10 more, but supposedly it has better bass, and mid, but less dynamic. I don't need anymore bass as is, pretty happy with its presentation.

Heiney, looking at the tube, it looks fine other than the slight discoloration (brownish) ring which I supposed due to heat. It has Herbie tube damper on it. I wonder now whether I should even mess around replacing it since this one is well burn-in over 6 years, but glad that at least I have a spare tube if need be.

hearingimpared

polkatese wrote: »

So, I took the tube out and cleaned the pins. Put it back and right now checking it out. So far so good, haven't heard the problem.

As it turned out, the tube is 6H30pi-EB variant. I googled it and it is supposed to be higher reliability and long lasting tube (-EB). I have ordered the regular Sovtek. Anyone familiar with it? The most expensive is the -DR variant ($150+), but from what I read, all of them are sort of the same. I was looking at the -EH variant (Electro Harmonics) with gold pins. It is about $10 more, but supposedly it has better bass, and mid, but less dynamic. I don't need anymore bass as is, pretty happy with its presentation.

Heiney, looking at the tube, it looks fine other than the slight discoloration (brownish) ring which I supposed due to heat. It has Herbie tube damper on it. I wonder now whether I should even mess around replacing it since this one is well burn-in over 6 years, but glad that at least I have a spare tube if need be.

My CDP came stock with EHs. I was given EH goldpins and it sounded better and I can't say that liked either but it wasn't until I rolled in some Jan NOS tubes that Beardog sent me that the CDP sounded just right to me.

polkatese

Thanks Joe. Tube rolling in this puppy is a pain due to where it mounts, so I was thinking about EH but not sure if I have the drive.

So I've been spinning for over an hour, and hasn't hear any anomaly. Perhaps wiggling and cleaning the tube worked?

DSOTM in Multichannel is awesome! (forgot how awesome it was, I guess)

polkatese

Got the replacement this afternoon. Btw, I've had dealt with www.dedicatedaudio.com a couple times and found them to be very fast shipping, and excellent service by the owner, Daniel Hammond.

The replacement turned out to be an -EB variant. I am happy. Now that the problem hasn't surfaced since I wiggled it, I am prepared.

Thanks everyone!

hearingimpared

polkatese wrote: »

Got the replacement this afternoon. Btw, I've had dealt with www.dedicatedaudio.com a couple times and found them to be very fast shipping, and excellent service by the owner, Daniel Hammond.

The replacement turned out to be an -EB variant. I am happy. Now that the problem hasn't surfaced since I wiggled it, I am prepared.

Thanks everyone!

Good stuff!!!

doctorcilantro

Hum = heater to cathode leakage (break-down of the ceramic slurry over time which electrically isolates the heater from the cathode, or just a badly made tube with HC leakage).

Hum = poor production > bad structural integrity/misaligned plate structure (or due to mishandling)

Hiss, pops, and static = gas levels beyond what the the getter is capable of sequestering after long term use

Hiss, pops, and static = improperly seated in the socket; contaminated pins

Distortion or loss of gain = low emission etc.

Directly heated power triodes can make some noise upon power up too....

samnor

Somewhat of a thread jack but I am wondering along similar lines as to whats the signs of a solid state amp going bad other than the same symptoms (static, buzzing, etc)... I'm trying to pick up a used amp and I would atleast like to know a good heads-up as to when I should stop using the amp before I fry my speakers..

doctorcilantro

samnor wrote: »

Somewhat of a thread jack but I am wondering along similar lines as to whats the signs of a solid state amp going bad other than the same symptoms (static, buzzing, etc)... I'm trying to pick up a used amp and I would atleast like to know a good heads-up as to when I should stop using the amp before I fry my speakers..

Easy.....FIRE.

reeltrouble1

C is for Cookie
C is for Cookie
C is for Cookie

I have a Magnavox Radio from the 50's with original tubes that still works just fine. I tell you this because it makes me way cooler.

Glad the issue seems resolved I have been using that 6h30 tube for a while and it seems to last around five years for my playing habits.

SS amps make great boat anchors when they buzz, the buzz also stops after one anchor use.

RT1--oh yea, I almost forgot, I have a young lady friend who comes over, she plays guitar with me, she also is willingly to lean over and change my tubes, very dainty flexable thing she does......Tubes Rule.

hearingimpared

reeltrouble1 wrote: »

C is for Cookie
C is for Cookie
C is for Cookie

I have a Magnavox Radio from the 50's with original tubes that still works just fine. I tell you this because it makes me way cooler.

Glad the issue seems resolved I have been using that 6h30 tube for a while and it seems to last around five years for my playing habits.

SS amps make great boat anchors when they buzz, the buzz also stops after one anchor use.

RT1--oh yea, I almost forgot, I have a young lady friend who comes over, she plays guitar with me, she also is willingly to lean over and change my tubes, very dainty flexable thing she does......Tubes Rule.

Well this is the second thread in 5 minutes that I've read that has me wetting myself laughing!

polkatese

Thanks Doc!

I replaced the tube anyway, since it has been 5+ years and a newer one won't hurt Ted.

RT1--oh yea, I almost forgot, I have a young lady friend who comes over, she plays guitar with me, she also is willingly to lean over and change my tubes, very dainty flexable thing she does......Tubes Rule.

He he. YOUR tube RULE!