How cheap? Do you have an outboard phono stage?
Totally Tubular: The Tube Thread
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Sub $150? I’ve got a Bellari PA550 going into some Klipsch powered bookshelf speakers at the moment. I suspect that the bellari’s internal headphone amp is being used for the bookshelf speakers though, so while it sounds great with headphones on I just don’t think it’s great for the speakers.
The only thing I can think of is the hybrid amp from Parts Express. Honestly I wouldn’t bother. It’s tubes on the input with a solid state output- not a true tube amp.
I wouldn’t bother. Generally speaking, inexpensive tube amps aren’t good and good tube amps aren’t cheap.
kvetcha
Well-Known Member
If you have very efficient speakers or are doing near-field listening, the TubeCube is actually quite a fun little thing, if a bit janky.
Awesome, thanks for saving me! I’m trying to move away from having my speakers power themselves and I don’t have a lot of shelf space.
kvetcha
Well-Known Member
Because nothing can be simple, I'm all hooked up and biased, but the amp is demonstrating a very quiet clicking noise in both channels. Hopefully it's something like the rectifier tube, for which I've got replacements.
Power the amp down and remove and reseat all of the tubes. That may resolve your issue.
kvetcha
Well-Known Member
I tried swapping the rectifier and no dice. I’ll power it down and reseat.
It’s a very quiet, regular clicking noise. Kind of reminds me of when cell phones used to get picked up by radios.
Do you have a wifi router nearby?
kvetcha
Well-Known Member
Other side of the basement. But none of the other three amplifiers I've used in this room have ever picked anything up from it.
Volume control also doesn't seem to make a difference. I'm going to re-seat the tubes and check again in a few minutes. I'm hoping it's not something in the amp itself. Would stink to have to pay for a repair right off the bat.
Jango
Active Member
Is this the Decware or one of the others?
kvetcha
Well-Known Member
The Decware, sadly. I emailed them about it, we'll see if they have any advice for me.
The gods are punishing me for abandoning my trusty JoLida!
kvetcha
Well-Known Member
Swapping the power tubes also made no difference. Slightly maddening.
Jango
Active Member
Maybe try posting in the Decware forum. They may have some ideas.
kvetcha
Well-Known Member
Sadly the Torii Jr forum doesn't seem very well trafficked.
Tom at Big Ear received my returned KingKo and determined that my issues were a combination of bad output tubes and a bad rectifier. He replaced them all and has been running the amp problem-free for a few hours.
I have to admit I'm gritting my teeth a little for making a jump like this and assuming it would be problem free.
Jango
Active Member
I bet. Two amps with issues, despite the odds. Call Decware?
kvetcha
Well-Known Member
Yeah, I might need to. Though I could be SOL without sending it in for recertification. Hmm.
kvetcha
Well-Known Member
So, the pattern of the clicking noise changes depending on whether or not there is an active input to the amp. With no input, it goes click-click-clickclick almost like a ticking clock. Once there’s an input, the pattern gets much faster, and stays that way, even if nothing is playing, until the input powers down.
Bad input tubes? I’ve never run into anything quite like this.
Bad input tubes? I’ve never run into anything quite like this.
AnthonyI
Well-Known Member
It's always disheartening when you have issues with new gear, hopefully things will come around in a timely manner.
Is it on both channels?