Balanced Audio Technology MK-30 tubes. Alternative to Sovtek 6922

Brad I would say that's a good idea nothing worse than an intractable problem that's tough to track down. Good luck finding a new preamp!

I just stopped recording. It is intermittent. Worse for the fist 10 to 15 minutes or so, but continues on after that. Might crackle for a couple seconds every few minutes after an hour or so. The guy sad I could have my money back with the tube issue. I am going to put the original tubes back and get my money back. I do like the sound a lot (when it is not crackling), I will keep the new tubes and look for a BAT of similar vintage.

Brad in your vid the crackling stops after about 30 seconds,  is it there when you turn the preamp on and fades away? Or does it keep coming back?

Well, new tubes fixed the "tube noise issue", but revealed an intermittent crackling in the right channel. Excuse me while I go bang my head against the wall..... The seller actually left a receipt in the box that shows it was in for service at BAT in 2017 for EXACT same issue, but BAT could not reproduce problem.... The guy I bought it from bought it from the guy who had sent it into service.

The crackling is similar in volume to just under a normal talking volume...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWGGgaXMhd4

Good luck Brad I hope the new tubes work out well for you!

Thanks @jond 

I have decided to gamble and order new tubes, and hope that fixes it. And I might as well get tubes I want to keep. I'll probably go with the Gold Lions "kevins stash" and cryo. If they are too bright, I will follow your suggestion.

But "too bright" may be fine for my aging ears...  :)

Also, I have an email in to BAT, waiting to hear back. I may just call them tomorrow.

@rlb61  you are correct my bad. VK-30

I will say on the subject of Gold Lion 6922's I retubed my preamp with them and found them to be too bright. I love the Gold Lion KT77 but with the 6922's I ended up taking one pair out.  My preamp uses 6 tubes, I rolled in a pair of Matsushita 7dj8's in first position and ran with that and 4 Gold Lions and it was perfect. As always YMMV.

First off I’d give BAT support a call. I’ve had several BAT amps. all are balanced and spurrious noises are routinely absent. I rolled tubes in an older vk5 pre and in a vk60. noise was never a consideration while interjecting different tubes. consequently I feel the issue is elsewhere…. more than likely.

however the tube replacement options are immense. 6DJ8, 6922, OR 7308 ARE PLUG AND PLAY REPLACEMENTS.

to verify the issue is in fact tube related merely buy any actually ‘new’ ones regardless brand and plug ‘em in. I should think BAT offers something here too, but finding something kshould not be difficult.

BAT amps are all self biasing so even if the what ever tubes are not new for example, things ought to reveal if a tube issue or not.

and I’d call BAT about this anyhow. hopefully it is merely a poor tube.

the flip side of the coin does seem to obligate the seller to explain their notice of ‘clean and clear’ IMO. Very good luck to you..

Tubes are graded better when they are lower noise and more closely matched. It sounds like you only need lower noise.

I would call Kevin, Brent Jessee and Jim McShane and explain your problem. I think any of those three will be honest about whether they have tubes that will solve your problem, within your budget.  If they don't, sell the preamp.

I think you mean a "VK-30" and not an "MK."

Ting each tube with a pencil tip and see if it's sensitive to the taps. You might get away just replacing that one. 

Thanks,
My worry is the tubes won’t solve the issue, and I will be out more money. From Upcale Audio, there are 3 options; Gold, Platinum and Kevin’s Stash. Which would you go with?
Some in another discussion are saying it could be dirty power that the tubes are sensitive to, but none of my other stuff is. My systems are dead silent (aside from this). I have tried the MK-30 in both my top 2 systems, same prob. Other equipment, PS Audio, Mark Levinson, Moon...etc.

Buy the Gold Lion 6922, sure Genelex never even made a 6922 but it is a great tube .   When using a single dual triple make sure you get one that the triodes are matched.   This is important if you are using a pre , dac, headphone amp with a single 6922

I agree with Jond, buy a tube from a reputable source that matches tubes like upscale or jim mcshane or brent jessee.....

I had a Gold Lion in my c-j Classic 2SE which is tough on lesser tubes... that GL is three years old, still quiet.   By luck I came across a few Reflector Rocket logo 6h23 en tubes and that is the only reason I pulled it.   The Glod Lion is the best modern 6922 in many peoples opinion.   I love the tone of the JJ 6922 but I experienced short life, less than 6 months... so it is Gold Lion when I buy a preamp or phone 6922.   I use standard EH 6922 in my amps phase splitter and they last forever in that position.  But there are a number of pres that push that tube hard and you need GL or a Pcc88 which has a 7v heater so it can take the punishment a little better.

If you just want to retube fairly inexpensively something like Electro-Harmonix gold pins would work. I would also suggest getting them from a good dealer, I use Upscale Audio and springing for their highest graded lowest noise tubes.