2. amps-preamps
  3. 1300118795

Help Diagnose Tube Preamp Problem

I have a George Wright preamp along with his mono 3.5 amps. I recently started hearing some noise or crackling through my speakers at various times. When I turned the system on the other day, it was very loud for a couple of seconds, but then went away. I've done some research and "tested" the tubes by gently tapping them with a pencil, and the weird thing is the tubes in the preamp all give off a ping that is not solid like the tubes in the amps (I don't believe the tubes in the preamp all went bad at one time). Even stranger, if I tap on the metal on/off switch, this also pings through the speaker as if it is somehow getting picked up by the current. Something strange going on, anyone with any ideas of the problem? thanks
skf3636

Showing 2 responses by jea48

jea48
4,672 posts
 
Skf3636,

Both channels or only in one?

Could be a dirty and or corroded tube socket/s or tube pins.

Quick method of cleaning is to unplug and reinsert tube/s in socket several time to clean the pins and socket contacts....
jea48
4,672 posts
 
Both channels are affected.

Skf3636,

Both channels?...... Have a feeling it is something in the power supply. Could be a loose connection. Maybe a cold solder joint.
More to discover