2. amps-preamps
  3. 1330293699

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 2 responses by jmowbray

jmowbray
42 posts
 
Neddy - according to the manufacturer (and as reflected in my SA 3.1 owners manual):

Technical Summary:
Pure tube signal path. The unit has two 6DJ8 tubes in the phono stage and a single 6DJ8 in the line stage. As with all Counterpoint preamps, there are two gain stages in the phono section with passive riaa equalization. The line stage is a single-stage.

http://www.altavistaaudio.com/Product_Guide.html#SA3
jmowbray
42 posts
 
The 2 side positions are for the phono stage and the center tube is for the line stage. You are probably experiencing one or more bad tubes in the phono position.
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