2. misc-audio
  3. 1438498051

A sad tale of tube problems...

Before I tried tubes, I was warned that they are a pain, can be expensive, can fail, will develop hum issues, etc. Well, I had no idea how bad it was going to be. I have tried repeatedly over the past couple of years to get some tubes into my system, and everything has failed. If only they didn't sound so good I would just commit to solid state. Here's my tale of woe...

1. As my welcome back to the audiophile world, I bought a hybrid integrated - got a terrible buzz through the right channel. When I turned the balance to the left, the buzz through the right channel got louder. Never got it solved and went to a SS integrated.

2. Got into vinyl and thought a tubed phono amp would be great. The first one lasted 5 minutes and the right channel dropped out completely. Replaced the tubes, still no luck. They sent me a new one, but I was getting significant distortion. Turns out even the lowest gain setting was too high for my integrated amp. Went to a SS phono amp.

3. Tried a single ended tube integrated. Had a hum problem that was audible from 30+ feet away. Shipped it back for repairs. Came back to me and broke down within the week. They sent me a new one - hum was still there although not quite as bad as the first unit. Went back to my SS integrated.

4. Tried another hybrid integrated. Lasted a week before a loud pop caused horrible distortion. Had to send it in for service. Went back to my SS integrated.

5. Bought a SS power amp (worked great) and used my integrated's preout. Then decided to try a tube preamp. Got significant bleed through on one channel, and when the volume was off I was still getting sound through the left channel. Went back to using my integrated as a preamp.

6. Gave one more shot at a tubed preamp. There was some tube rush through the right channel, so I bought upgraded tubes. Put them in and got a terrible hum through the other channel that I couldn't get rid of.

Counting the replacement components, that's 8 tubed products - and not one has worked. I guess I'm doomed to solid state...:(

Just had to vent...
Scott

p.s. I have tried with and without power conditioners and an Emotiva power strip to stop DC on the line. Didn't make a difference.
smrex13
early's avatar
early
60 posts
 
Scott, I'm curious, which of the issues you mentioned did you have with the Audion pre?
douglas_schroeder
1,824 posts
 
There is no reason to feel pressure to continue to use tubes in order to attain premium sound. It is fallacy to think that one needs tubes for the best sound.

Remember: The quality of the system is not determined merely by the presence or absence of tubes. I have on numerous occasions replaced a review piece of gear implementing tubes with one completely SS, and the SS unit sounded more liquid, rich, etc. than the tubed component. I have on numerous occasions built systems with all SS gear that were, again, more liquid, rich, more "tube-like" if you will, than ones with tubes.

FORGET the supposed need to have tubes in order to attain SOTA sound! :)
If you like the look of the glowing orbs, then fine. But, it will likely continue to cost you in terms of maintenance and potential problems.

Having said all this, I am not anti-tube in my selection of gear, but merely dispelling the persistent misnomer about tube sound.
brauser
421 posts
 
I have had some expensive tube equipment and similarly priced SS gear. I have been a hobbyist for over 40 years and tube gear sounded better for the first 25 years or so. The last 10 to 15 years have seen SS equipment getting dramatically better to the point where the best SS equipment actually seems to better the tube gear in performance across the entire frequency range.

I suppose there will always be a 'perception' of esoteric superiority with tubes for some folks. For them I say go for it, but please NO WHINING about the cost and problems that comes with the territory.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
6,996 posts
 
It doesn't seem to me that Scott is operating under any misnomer regarding tube products. He expressed an opinion based on his own listening preferences which have led him to conclude that he prefers the sound of tube components. This is no different than if someone expressed a preference for solid-state components, it's all subjective and individual choice. If some people have found solid-state to be as good sounding or even better sounding than tube components I say more power to you. Thus far this has not been the case for me and apparently some others. By the way I am not anti-solid-state by any means, i'm just reflecting on past listening experience over many years.
cantgetnosat
17 posts
 
I agree with Douglas_schroeder, Brauser and Charles1dad.

Some audiophiles are not “meant” for vacuum tube amplification gear. Just as many people are not meant for owning and caring for house plants or pets. Vacuum tubes are finicky and temperamental.

However, Scott, that absolutely does not mean you should be sad or ashamed that you must now settle for solid state. In this regard, I agree with Brauser.

Moreover, as Brauser has said, “No whining.” When I started out, I had no one to help me with vacuum tubes. I relied instead on audio magazines, articles and books. Today, you have the Internet and access to thousands of posts and forums, as well as the locations of nearby tube-centric audiophiles, something I never had. Go out and ask for help from a tube guy or gal to choose and install a tube component for you.
More to discover