Preamp popping!


Salutations! 

I have a problem and was hoping to use our collective experience to solve it..

My preamp (dared mc-7p) produces a VERY loud pop through the speakers approximately 10-30 seconds after I power it up. I'm now concerned about blowing a tweeter. I can even see the 12" woofers move.

Obviously I can just turn the dared on first, then turn the amp on after a minute or so. But that's just hiding the problem. I'd like to solve it..

Ideas? I've tried nothing yet. My first inking is to try replacing tubes.. Good idea? If so, shall I start with the power or signal tubes? Again, my inkling is to start with power.

Assuming that doesn't work.. What else could it be? Some kind of capacitor gone bad?
toddverrone

Showing 2 responses by atmasphere

@toddverrone Thanks for confirming my suspicion! If I recall rightly the RCAs are the 6V6s to be looking for.
You got it sorted- good work!

My recommendation, if not already offered, is to look for an NOS 6V6 on eBay or the like, made by RCA, Sylvania or the like, for use in this preamp.

A 6V6 arcing as you describe is a bit unusual but does suggest to me that it might have a construction problem, one that I've seen in modern-era tubes (being either Russian or Chinese). An older tube I suspect is far less likely to do something like this, even as it ages and eventually dies.

Happy Listening!