Audible Illusions Modulus 3A noise


I purchased the AI M3A, love the sound, do not like the high noise floor - much more noise on one side now after only 10 hours or so of use. Reading through forums I suspect the electro-harmonics tube. Is a louder than normal static noise coming through speakers normally a tube issue? Thanks for your help! Kevin
kevinshunt

Have you tried switching the line stage tubes, left for right? If the noise moves with the tube swap it is the tube, if the noise remains in the same channel, after the swap, then the issue is the preamp. Best of luck.

@viridian I am going to try this, the procedure is outlined in the manual I have.  I just think that these electro-harmonix tubes that were in it represent a low cost alternative that perhaps just don't work very well.

Anyone have experience purchasing tubes from AI?  I see you can purchase from their website.

I have purchased tubes from AI. Rather expensive, IMHO. Agree with stereo5, who clearly has purchased tubes from AI as well, as long as the tubes are determined to be the issue.

@tubegb  

 

“AI preamplifiers are notoriously hard on tubes and sensitive to tubes that do not have a low noise floor.”


Your statement is grossly incorrect. Here is an L3A that is literally on more than it is off. Thousands of hours of usage on the tubes. No noise. Plus the unit was purchased used so who knows how many hours were on the tubes beforehand. 
 

One issue that occurred was a noise similar to a bad tube noise. The fixes, yes plural, was a cheater plug on my mono amps. Also one set of my RCA cables allowed noise into the preamp. Replaced that cables, dead quiet. 

Purchase tubes from a reliable seller it will be cheaper and the tubes will be just fine. Personally I'd go for NOS or good older pulls over current production 6922s. JAN/Phillips 6922's are typically a solid value. AI preamps have a ton of gain so they can really magnify a noisy tube make sure you get whatever you buy tested for noise.