What do defective phono tubes sound like?

Keep your chin up SirS. Friday night our system sounded terrible. No life, no snap, just dull, dull, dull. I gave up and we went out for dinner. Yesterday I realized I'd moved VTF in the wrong direction. Doh! When I fixed that the music all came to life again. I rewarded myself by demagging some power tubes. Woh! Just like Dan_Ed told me. :-)

I know what you mean about the tweeters in your Avalons. I'd be sick if I killed one of our diamond tweeters but at least I could get a replacement. Like you I don't think we could stand going back to something slower, we are so spoiled. ;-)

Cte500 - if your pins/connectors are gold (plated), read the last paragraph of my previous post. If they're not, a different answer might apply.

Doug,I'd be ALOT happier if I could identify the problem.Usually this is very easy for me,but "this" is getting tiresome.

Also,I hate the thought of blaming the arm,unless I am certain it is the cause,but let's face it,everything was "honky dory" until I made the swap.If it turns out to be a wiring problem in my new arm I'll not be happy,as I was SO patient/understanding regarding it's acquisition.I'm sure you know what I mean.
Obviously,as I now still have the "pop,pop" noise issue,I can rule out the new table.

Question(to anyone)...can faulty arm wiring(in actual tonearm) cause a fuse to blow in a table's power supply,as well as a cap in the control section of the table(this happened in the old(really fairly new)table?My phonostage has 70 db of gain,and the cartridge's output is .48mv,so maybe enough transient distortion can cause this????

BTW,anyone considering a new table,who likes the stuff Sota offers(superb actually)....here is something "incredibly" rare in the hobby.....
When Kirk,of Sota,heard of my table being stricken,he felt so bad that he gave me a new Cosmos,just to take the table out of the equation!!
The guy is INCREDIBLE!!,but there is more.....

The new Cosmos is SO much more "refined/precise/flawless in every way" than my previous(superb series IV)one,it really deserves to be called a "series five".
It is almost as quiet as my CD player,even with the pump for vacuum.I really cannot convey how much effort went into this new table,and it is clear the mfgr went out of his way to do everything he can,in a situation like this one.
Btw,words cannot express how greatful I am,and how far superior this "very latest" Cosmos is "over" the previous
Cosmos was."IT" too was a series IV,but the new table smokes it in precision,and attention to detail.

It is appropriate I mention this,as great customer service is why U.S. mfgrs enjoyed success over the years,and now some are threatened by foreign interests.I doubt one can have such an intimate relationship with mfgrs a continent away.At the very least,it would not be "this" easy,and right now "the hassle factor" is not on my agenda!
THIS new/gorgeous table is one thing I have to look forward to,"if" I can iron out my problems.I did not know the meaning of quiet,in a table,until I set this up Thursday.
Best.

Try changing all tubes. If it clears go thu them one by one.
Regards.

Sirspeedy,
If you changed the tubes and you are still experiencing the same results. To narrow it down even further ,borrow a table from a dealer.Any model that you can plug into your system.
Or a phonostage from a dealer or from one of your buddies.

I know its even more work ,but it will tell you right away if it is your new arm.

However I suspect its not.

The out standing quality of your new arm would not have left the factory untested and checked over thoroughly, me thinks.

Stilty,the phonostage can be had,I think.The tubes are most suspect as of now.

As to the arm....I am not so sure about that,due to circumstances which my loyalty may have attributed to.One reason why "if" it is the arm(and it is not taken care of promptly)I will be "peeved"!!

As I said,I am taking a day off Tuesday,to rol up my sleeves on this.
Thanks to ALL for actually giving a darn!