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isolating a tube problem - ARC LS5 preamp

I have an Audio Research LS 5 preamp that has been making sputtering windy noises (mostly left channel - the sound pulsates in and out) quite noticable a few times when no input program is playing

Being fairly new to tube gear my impression is that this appears to be a tube going bad.I've had the preamp about a year and bought it used. The preamp runs with 10 6922 tubes (I have solteks currently but am looking to upgrade). Any suggestions on isolating the tube which is going bad would be greatly appreciated.

thanks

Tom
audiotomb

Showing 2 responses by audiotomb

audiotomb's avatar
audiotomb OP
1,112 posts
 
looks like the tubes are getting noisier and most of the tubes I've ordered have not arrived yet. Should I stop using the unit till the rest of the tubes arrive. SHould I unplug everything to swap out a tube or is a simple off on the power strip sufficient to change out tubes?

Thanks

Tom
audiotomb's avatar
audiotomb OP
1,112 posts
 
I changed out six of 10 tubes, more to arrive

wow, what a difference, all the musicality of the preamp is back and more and in spades. Guess I'd been slowly lulled to sleep as the tubes went bad. Siemen's E88's and Valvo E188's sound pretty nice, need to add that expensive telefunken next.
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