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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

Showing 8 responses by smrex13

smrex13 OP
423 posts
 
Fair enough - I realize that not all of the problems were caused by tubes. And some of it was just bad luck with a defective product. And some of it was probably caused by living in an apartment where the power can be dirty. And some of it was poor system matching. For the most part the components were very well respected brands - some new, some used. In any event, I just needed to vent a bit. To me, tubes sound so much better than SS that I will keep chasing the dream :)

Scott
smrex13 OP
423 posts
 
OP here. Thanks for all the responses. A couple of quick answers to question posed:

1. The closest dealer is about 5 hours away, so taking products home for the weekend isn't a possibility.

2. Actually, the Audion worked pretty well - no major problems.

3. I'll start a new thread on this forum to seek some advice.

Thanks, everyone,
Scott
smrex13 OP
423 posts
 
Just to update my journey. Bought a lightly used Modwright LS100. Hooked it up and got a lot tube rush out of the left channel. Turned the volume up, and the woofer moved in and out violently. Switched tubes right to left and got a very loud hiss out of the left channel (but not the woofer issue). Tried to power it down, and when I hit the power button the balance control came on. Couldn't shut it down without unplugging it.

I'm finished with tubes. I'm cursed :(
smrex13 OP
423 posts
 
Yeah, it's really quite funny to me at this point. Some of the issues were obviously just due to my own mistakes on mismatched gear, but the Modwright seemed possessed. Underwood HiFi and Modwright handled it very professionally and refunded my money no questions asked. No harm done. I'm going to use my SS integrated for a little while while I have my McCormack amp upgraded and tuned up. Then, I'll seek everyone's advice on a preamp from there.

Thanks, Scott
smrex13 OP
423 posts
 
Ernie - you just have to finish off the squirrel with the first shot. I'm pretty sure Scott was over par on dispatching the squirrel :)
smrex13 OP
423 posts
 
Well, at least I can now say that SS lets me down, too, LOL. My McCormack DNA-125 dropped the right channel a few days ago. Can't figure out what's wrong. Back to my little integrated. For my purposes I think an integrated is probably the most efficient and cost effective way to go. Every since I've switched to Harbeth speakers I have been quite satisfied with most amplification.

Back to the music...
smrex13 OP
423 posts
 
Well, I think it's a combination of some iffy used equipment purchases, a couple of truly defective new purchases, a mismatch or two between amp and pre. I really would like to find a higher powered tube amp for my Harbeths, but they are probably better off being driven by a SS amp. So far, I haven't had any reliability issues with any of the SS integrated amps that I've auditioned.

Scott

smrex13 OP
423 posts
 
That's the problem - I'm a gin guy. :)
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