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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
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mapman
15,679 posts
 
Guess what? Real sound uses no tubes or transistors. Go figure. It also sometimes impresses and sometimes disappoints.

I guess my point is that tube or SS alone means little. There are many factors that go into good sound reproduction. Even more go in to do it reliably day in and day out over the long haul.

Tubes are glass half full or empty for me. Tubes will tend to not last as long as most other parts, but are easily replaceable when they do. Might cost a small fortune to do so though nowadays in that quality tubes are in demand and in relatively short supply compared to years past. That's the part that keeps me away for the most part in that I like a lot of tube gear but do not find them a critical part of my overall listening enjoyment.
electroslacker
255 posts
 
Compared to the inflation in the price of gear, it seems to me that high-quality tubes from vendors such as Gold Lion and Tung-Sol are fairly priced, and total maintenance cost seems reasonable if you do not exceed four output tubes.

But if re-tubing went over $1000, I'd find a transistor to love.
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 :(
tubegroover
2,279 posts
 
Scott you seem genuinely sincere but for the life of me, other than some obvious mismatching, I am mystified at all the hiccups you've had concerning tube gear. I DO agree that some SS gear can be quite satisfying and the gap between the best of both technologies is negligible if even notable in a great set-up BUT you note tube gear to be more preferable to you as it still is for some of us.

Your last example with the Modwright is simply hard to believe, I would give Dan Wright a call, I'm sure he could help you identify the problem. I doubt highly it was caused solely by his preamp, THAT is a nice piece and all his products are highly dependable. You just need to get more educated it seems to me. There is simply no unknown reason for anyone to have such a continuation of problems using well designed tube gear, there just isn't, unless there really is a tube gremlin god that frowns on some. I for one am a non-believer.
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
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