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Thread: 'farting', buzzing tube power amp; broken tube??

  1. #1
    Join Date: Apr 2010

    Location: SE London, UK

    Posts: 49
    I'm Filip.

    Default 'farting', buzzing tube power amp; broken tube??

    Hello,

    If it's posted in wrong subforum - my apology; admin please remove it to proper one
    I have problem with power tube amp which has started about 10 day ago.
    The amp after 10 min since it's on, starts 'farting' and buzzing, making distorted noise in both channels...very ugly and scary
    it dissapears after about 40 min (within this 40 min it happen from time to time, and lasts for few sec)
    Funny thing is when I stomp on the floor, it stops....like it was a cable issue, but it's not I checked it
    Could it be a simple tube problem (amp is over 10 years old) ?
    How to spot the issue if I am not a diy'er and doesn't have any tools except soldering iron (for making cables) ?

    many thanks in advance

  2. #2
    Join Date: Mar 2009

    Location: Elland

    Posts: 6,922
    I'm David.

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    my amp was doing this ... anthonytd told me what it was but i cant remember what he said ... was one of the valves on its way out i think
    CS Port TAT2 - Benz LPS - Funkfirm Houdini - DS Audio Vinyl Ionizer - CS Port C3EQ - Kondo G70 - Kondo Gakuoh II - Maxonic TW1100 MKII - Isol-8 SubStation Integra

  3. #3
    Join Date: Jun 2009

    Location: S-ex

    Posts: 523
    I'm Steve.

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    Hi.

    I would echo Hamish's comment; had the same thing myself recently with a valve power amp - crackles, pops, distortion on start up which reduced after warm up. Could tap the valves and get it to stop sometimes. It did prove to be a driver valve breaking up and a new pair (£20) solved the issue completely.
    Steve & Valerie

    www.electricbeachaudio.com

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  4. #4
    Join Date: Mar 2010

    Location: London

    Posts: 2,094
    I'm colin.

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    I had the same problem, changed the valves and sounded better than before.

  5. #5
    Join Date: Mar 2009

    Location: Elland

    Posts: 6,922
    I'm David.

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    Try contacting Anthony at tube distinctions ... He posts on here once in a while, built my amps for me, in fact he has built amps for a few people on here ... He knows his stuff and I'm sure will be able to help
    CS Port TAT2 - Benz LPS - Funkfirm Houdini - DS Audio Vinyl Ionizer - CS Port C3EQ - Kondo G70 - Kondo Gakuoh II - Maxonic TW1100 MKII - Isol-8 SubStation Integra

  6. #6
    Join Date: Apr 2010

    Location: SE London, UK

    Posts: 49
    I'm Filip.

    Default

    Thank you guys, I really appreciaty your help,
    I've noticed that taping thing too....(when I tapped amp i dissapears or sometimes make a huge noise)..

    btw how to contact Anthony ? email, web address ?


    thanks again

    PS. I have 4x EL84 and 3xECC88 in my power amp (funny odd number...) if I want to change all of them it will be pricey...
    is there any way to find ou which one (or more then 1) should be changed ?? any other place to buy valves then ebay ?
    Last edited by 24bit; 04-01-2011 at 14:44. Reason: added info

  7. #7
    Join Date: Mar 2008

    Location: Galashiels

    Posts: 13,696
    I'm inthescottishmafia.

    Default

    Before spending money on valves I would thoroughly clean all the valve pins. Dirty pins can cause all sorts of problems.

  8. #8
    Join Date: May 2008

    Location: Cricklewood

    Posts: 9,074
    I'm ILOB.

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    Sounds like one of the valves has gone microphonic Anthony explained the best way to check is tap valves with a pen Its really worths speaking to Anthony TD he is a gentleman and really knows his stuff also Lurcher
    Loves anything from Pain of Salvation to Jeff Buckley to Django to Sarasate to Surinder Sandhu to Shawn Lane to Nick Drake to Rush to Beth Hart to Kate Bush to Rodrigo Y Gabriela to The Hellecasters to Dark Sanctury to Ben Harper to Karicus to Dream Theater to Zero Hour to Al DiMeola to Larry Carlton to Derek Trucks to Govt Mule to?

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  9. #9
    Join Date: Apr 2010

    Location: SE London, UK

    Posts: 49
    I'm Filip.

    Default

    thank you again,
    I managed to open amp to try to find 'visually' which tube could it be - all tubes looks same, shining
    and since then amp completely stopped doing those noises....
    cheeky bugger, isn't it ??
    anyway it has to be something with temperature, for my simply brain deduction, since the problems stopped completely without the cover of amp
    I did tap tubes with a pen and they seem to be dead quiet (no microphonics)

    I will email Anthony (got his website) for sure

    again big thanks

  10. #10
    Join Date: Mar 2008

    Location: Galashiels

    Posts: 13,696
    I'm inthescottishmafia.

    Default

    It may well be a valve, but it could equally be the pins. Worth a try as it's free to fix!

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