Tube Interaction in Counterpoint 3.1


I have a heavily messed-with Counterpoint 3.1 pre that I've repaired and mostly put back to original spec. It uses a pair of 6DJ8s for the line preamp and one 6DJ8 as the phono pre. I've been doing some tube rolling and discovered that when I put good Amperex tubes in the line level sockets AND the same in the phono socket, the phono tube crackles and hisses badly. When I replace the line tubes with new Russian tubes the old Amperex in the phono spot is fine! I have 6 or 7 good European Amperex tubes and they all act the same way if they're in all three sockets. They work fine in the two line level sockets no matter what's in the phono socket, but I have to use new tubes for line if I want to use an old tube for phono. What the hell! I've never seen anything like this. Any ideas?
neddyboy

Showing 1 response by dover

Mate, pulling tubes out and turning preamp on is likely to damage your preamp.
The power supply is designed to run with tubes in, the removal of any will mean too much current to the heaters and other issues. You will be very lucky if you haven't damaged it already. Just find a local audio store and ask them if they have a recommended technician for tube repairs and get it sorted professionally..