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Crackling coming from Right Speaker - Help

I recently began my journey into the world of tube amplification. I purchased a Genesis I60 on audiogon, and have been extremely pleased with the sound. I moved from a floorstander (Legacy) to a monitor (Focal 906). In the past month or so I have heard a crackling sound through the right channel periodically. It has been present with both sets of speakers. Being a bit of a novice, I am not sure if this is an issue with an aging tube, a cable issue, etc. Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated!
bank738
samhar
1,034 posts
 
To follow Shadorne's lead applied to the tubes. Check the tubes the same way move from side to side one tube at a time to find which tube is noisy or to eliminate them as a problem.
milesd77
25 posts
 
When I put a line conditioner in my system, the crackling noise stopped. A multimeter line check showed that the voltage was going from 118 to 140 volts within seconds that summer.
The Tripp lite line conditioner LC1200 solved this problem relatively inexpensively. This is definitely not audiophile-grade equipment, but in this case it worked without having to deal with tube diagnosis issues.
bank738 OP
40 posts
 
Thanks for the quick help here. I currently am using a power conditioner, so will try the tube rotation idea first and then look at other connection issues. Is it possible to be an issue with a power cable? That is the last new cable that has been added in the system. I am not sure when I first noticed the crackling/fuzz, but who knows sometimes.
Appreciatively,
Brian
bank738 OP
40 posts
 
P.S. - I assume I would need to rebias if I switch the tubes over - correct?
rodman99999
3,557 posts
 
Before you do anything else: Next time you hear the crackle, tap each of the tubes in that channel with the eraser end of a pencil. It the sound gets worse, or disappears- you've found your culprit. Start with the driver/phase splitter tubes, as those usually generate that type of sound when faulty.
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