Need some help. Tube preamp problem, I think.

ROHfan
ROHfan Posts: 1,014
in Electronics
So I turned on my Mapletree tube pre and let it warm up for a while before listening to some Flim and the BBs. When I stared the CD the left speaker was extremely low and there was no treble. I thought maybe the 198 was fried but when I ran the Oppo through my AVR the sound was fine. I was just listening to the Mapletree last night, no problem. I'm gonna start troubleshooting this afternoon and I was wondering if anyone else has had a similar problem and what was the outcome.
TV: 65" Samsung QLED 4K
Fronts: Energy RC70 --- Center: Energy RC-LCR
Front Heights: Polk RC65i --- Rears: Polk RC85i --- Sub: Power Sound Audio XS15
Pioneer VSX-1120K --- Parasound HCA-1000A --- Oppo BDP-103
Vincent Audio SA31 preamp --- Teac UD301 DAC
AIYIMA Tube T7 preamp --- Nobsound 12AX7 tube preamplifier
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • voltz
    voltz Posts: 5,384
    I had a problem like that with my tube headphone amp, one of the tubes went out and the sound from left channel dropped off completely, change tubes and everything was normal. can you switch tubes to check? as I don't know how you Mapletree is setup.
    2 ch- Polk CRS+ * Vincent SA-31MK Preamp * Vincent Sp-331 Amp * Marantz SA8005 SACD * Project Xperience Classic TT * Sumiko Blue Point #2 MC cartridge

    HT - Polk 703's * NAD T-758 * Adcom 5503 * Oppo 103 * Samsung 60" series 8 LCD
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ROHfan
    ROHfan Posts: 1,014
    voltz wrote: »
    I had a problem like that with my tube headphone amp, one of the tubes went out and the sound from left channel dropped off completely, change tubes and everything was normal. can you switch tubes to check? as I don't know how you Mapletree is setup.

    I don't have any other tubes but that sounds like a good suggestion. Will let you know if I try that.

    TV: 65" Samsung QLED 4K
    Fronts: Energy RC70 --- Center: Energy RC-LCR
    Front Heights: Polk RC65i --- Rears: Polk RC85i --- Sub: Power Sound Audio XS15
    Pioneer VSX-1120K --- Parasound HCA-1000A --- Oppo BDP-103
    Vincent Audio SA31 preamp --- Teac UD301 DAC
    AIYIMA Tube T7 preamp --- Nobsound 12AX7 tube preamplifier
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,901
    exchange the position of the two tubes.
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
    Puritan PSM156
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ROHfan
    ROHfan Posts: 1,014
    marvda1 wrote: »
    exchange the position of the two tubes.

    Will try that. If the issue follows the tube=get new tube, correct?
    TV: 65" Samsung QLED 4K
    Fronts: Energy RC70 --- Center: Energy RC-LCR
    Front Heights: Polk RC65i --- Rears: Polk RC85i --- Sub: Power Sound Audio XS15
    Pioneer VSX-1120K --- Parasound HCA-1000A --- Oppo BDP-103
    Vincent Audio SA31 preamp --- Teac UD301 DAC
    AIYIMA Tube T7 preamp --- Nobsound 12AX7 tube preamplifier
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,901
    correct
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
    Puritan PSM156
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • polkfarmboy
    polkfarmboy Posts: 5,703
    There is usually visual tell tale signs that tubes are on thier way out. If its obvious then dont swap them round just to experiment as you could fry something. Just for the record this hasnever happened to me.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • headrott
    headrott Posts: 5,496
    How old is/are the amp and tubes?
    Relayer-Big-O-Poster.jpg
    Taken from a recent Audioholics reply regarding "Club Polk" and Polk speakers:
    "I'm yet to hear a Polk speaker that merits more than a sentence and 60 seconds discussion." :\
    My response is: If you need 60 seconds to respond in one sentence, you probably should't be evaluating Polk speakers.....

    "Green leaves reveal the heart spoken Khatru"- Jon Anderson

    "Have A Little Faith! And Everything You'll Face, Will Jump From Out Right On Into Place! Yeah! Take A Little Time! And Everything You'll Find, Will Move From Gloom Right On Into Shine!"- Arthur Lee
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ROHfan
    ROHfan Posts: 1,014
    headrott wrote: »
    How old is/are the amp and tubes?

    Not sure. I bought it from Face and I'm awaiting his response about the tube type.
    TV: 65" Samsung QLED 4K
    Fronts: Energy RC70 --- Center: Energy RC-LCR
    Front Heights: Polk RC65i --- Rears: Polk RC85i --- Sub: Power Sound Audio XS15
    Pioneer VSX-1120K --- Parasound HCA-1000A --- Oppo BDP-103
    Vincent Audio SA31 preamp --- Teac UD301 DAC
    AIYIMA Tube T7 preamp --- Nobsound 12AX7 tube preamplifier
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,967
    Always have extra tubes on hand, anyone with a tubed piece should.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ROHfan
    ROHfan Posts: 1,014
    tonyb wrote: »
    Always have extra tubes on hand, anyone with a tubed piece should.

    Fixed. Just ordered a pair of Russian 6SN7GTs from A-zon.
    TV: 65" Samsung QLED 4K
    Fronts: Energy RC70 --- Center: Energy RC-LCR
    Front Heights: Polk RC65i --- Rears: Polk RC85i --- Sub: Power Sound Audio XS15
    Pioneer VSX-1120K --- Parasound HCA-1000A --- Oppo BDP-103
    Vincent Audio SA31 preamp --- Teac UD301 DAC
    AIYIMA Tube T7 preamp --- Nobsound 12AX7 tube preamplifier
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,901
    does this one have a switch for using 6sn7 or 12sn7 tubes?
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
    Puritan PSM156
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ROHfan
    ROHfan Posts: 1,014
    marvda1 wrote: »
    does this one have a switch for using 6sn7 or 12sn7 tubes?

    Yessir.
    TV: 65" Samsung QLED 4K
    Fronts: Energy RC70 --- Center: Energy RC-LCR
    Front Heights: Polk RC65i --- Rears: Polk RC85i --- Sub: Power Sound Audio XS15
    Pioneer VSX-1120K --- Parasound HCA-1000A --- Oppo BDP-103
    Vincent Audio SA31 preamp --- Teac UD301 DAC
    AIYIMA Tube T7 preamp --- Nobsound 12AX7 tube preamplifier
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • voltz
    voltz Posts: 5,384
    edited February 2015
    I really like the sound of the (Mullard <---oops not mullards) Tung-Sol 6SN7GTB's I got from Tube Depot and use in the Mc100b. and they are about $20 each + $2 for matching.
    Post edited by voltz on
    2 ch- Polk CRS+ * Vincent SA-31MK Preamp * Vincent Sp-331 Amp * Marantz SA8005 SACD * Project Xperience Classic TT * Sumiko Blue Point #2 MC cartridge

    HT - Polk 703's * NAD T-758 * Adcom 5503 * Oppo 103 * Samsung 60" series 8 LCD
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,901
    voltz wrote: »
    I really like the sound of the Mullard 6SN7GTB's I got from Tube Depot and use in the Mc100b. and they are about $20 each + $2 for matching.
    + how do they compare to the tung sol reissues?

    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
    Puritan PSM156
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • voltz
    voltz Posts: 5,384
    My Bad Marvin...I meant to say Tung-SoL not Mullard....my 12ax7's are Mullards!
    2 ch- Polk CRS+ * Vincent SA-31MK Preamp * Vincent Sp-331 Amp * Marantz SA8005 SACD * Project Xperience Classic TT * Sumiko Blue Point #2 MC cartridge

    HT - Polk 703's * NAD T-758 * Adcom 5503 * Oppo 103 * Samsung 60" series 8 LCD
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ROHfan
    ROHfan Posts: 1,014
    edited February 2015
    As per Lloyd's (from Mapletree) suggestion, I switched position of the two tubes and the problem does not migrate. Still bad left channel. I'm awaiting his response from this news. I guess I'll have to try and rule out the Oppo analog output and the RCA cables as the problem source. Man, I hate pulling the rig away from the wall.
    TV: 65" Samsung QLED 4K
    Fronts: Energy RC70 --- Center: Energy RC-LCR
    Front Heights: Polk RC65i --- Rears: Polk RC85i --- Sub: Power Sound Audio XS15
    Pioneer VSX-1120K --- Parasound HCA-1000A --- Oppo BDP-103
    Vincent Audio SA31 preamp --- Teac UD301 DAC
    AIYIMA Tube T7 preamp --- Nobsound 12AX7 tube preamplifier
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • voltz
    voltz Posts: 5,384
    dang, was hoping it was something small and easy to fix. hopefully it still is.
    2 ch- Polk CRS+ * Vincent SA-31MK Preamp * Vincent Sp-331 Amp * Marantz SA8005 SACD * Project Xperience Classic TT * Sumiko Blue Point #2 MC cartridge

    HT - Polk 703's * NAD T-758 * Adcom 5503 * Oppo 103 * Samsung 60" series 8 LCD
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ROHfan
    ROHfan Posts: 1,014
    voltz wrote: »
    dang, was hoping it was something small and easy to fix. hopefully it still is.

    Me, too, but really...is that ever the case? Especially with audio???
    TV: 65" Samsung QLED 4K
    Fronts: Energy RC70 --- Center: Energy RC-LCR
    Front Heights: Polk RC65i --- Rears: Polk RC85i --- Sub: Power Sound Audio XS15
    Pioneer VSX-1120K --- Parasound HCA-1000A --- Oppo BDP-103
    Vincent Audio SA31 preamp --- Teac UD301 DAC
    AIYIMA Tube T7 preamp --- Nobsound 12AX7 tube preamplifier
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ROHfan
    ROHfan Posts: 1,014
    Ok, so I'm kind of embarrassed to report that the problem was fixed...by swapping cables.

    I've honestly never heard a cable fail like this before which is why it wasn't my first guess. Previously, my experience with cable failure was either the volume was on or off, or there was a scratchy kind of sound. This was a reduced volume muddiness with no highs. Sounded much worse than it was.

    Thanks go out to all who offered help. Even though this issue probably shouldn't even have reached this forum.
    TV: 65" Samsung QLED 4K
    Fronts: Energy RC70 --- Center: Energy RC-LCR
    Front Heights: Polk RC65i --- Rears: Polk RC85i --- Sub: Power Sound Audio XS15
    Pioneer VSX-1120K --- Parasound HCA-1000A --- Oppo BDP-103
    Vincent Audio SA31 preamp --- Teac UD301 DAC
    AIYIMA Tube T7 preamp --- Nobsound 12AX7 tube preamplifier
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,967
    ROHfan wrote: »
    Ok, so I'm kind of embarrassed to report that the problem was fixed...by swapping cables. .


    ....which is why we always suggest to buy well made cables. As an audio rule in troubleshooting, always check the easiest stuff first because more than likely, it is the culprit.

    Don't be embarrassed, know how many times I almost threw a remote out the window only to discover a piece wasn't.....plugged in ?

    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    I've had cables fail before without any explanation. Also as a general reminder with regards to tube gear. ALWAYS be sure to clean the tube pins! I can't tell you how many noise, level, etc. issue have been completely eliminated by using DeOxit on tube pins.

    If you are using NOS tubes they are 40-60 years old, lots of oxidation present and it doesn't take much to cause all sorts of weird issues

    Glad you got it sorted out.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,967
    Nice to see ya posting again pal. You get a new pre and suddenly disappear...lol. Hopefully your done wacking off to it by now and maybe manage a review in comparison to the Dared. Inquiring minds and all that.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,565
    tonyb wrote: »
    Don't be embarrassed, know how many times I almost threw a remote out the window only to discover a piece wasn't.....plugged in ?

    I worry about you at times.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter