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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
sebrof's avatar
sebrof
735 posts
 
There has GOT to be something wrong with your AC, or you have gremlins, or your house is haunted, or...

I'm trying to think of all the failures I have had over the past 20 years:
A new CD player that had the transport replaced under warranty
An old (15 year old) CD player that stopped reading discs
A TT I broke the wire on
...That's about it

There must be more to your story
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

rediculus
15 posts
 
Yes no tube problems for me! I've had four Conrad Johnson Preamps in the last 10 years, a pair of CJ lp140's a CJ Premier 140' a pair of Manley Neo Classic 250's and lastly A Manley Steelhead and have had zero issues. I would highly recommend any of the gear listed above or Audio Research as well thank you.
oregonpapa's avatar
oregonpapa
2,850 posts
 
In order to make tubes work, one must make sacrifices to the tube gods. Much like the Aztecs sacrificed virgins in order to get rain, we tube lovers must also sacrifice by choking down two martinis in the evening instead of one. It seems to mellow out the tube gods and eliminate all of those quirks. Just be sure to use a high quality vodka and two olives.
smrex13 OP
423 posts
 
That's the problem - I'm a gin guy. :)
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