Tube or Amp Problem? Please help.


I have a Melody El34 Integrated Amp that I use with 2 pairs of Shuguang Treasure 6CA7-z. Last week I was listening to music when everything went all horrible sounding and one of the tubes lit up like blue fireworks. I turned off the amp and looked at it the next day. To my, admittedly untrained eye, the tube looks fine but when I checked the bias it was at .32 (the amp says to set to .40) so I tried to set it to .40 but it would only go to .34. All of the other tubes I can set to .40. I have never had this issue with this amp. Is it the tube or did something happen to the amp? If it's just the tube will it be ok to have one set to .34 and the other .4 or should I set both tubes to .34, all 4? I would buy a new pair but they were expensive and on top of that don't seem to be offered anymore.

jkontuly

Showing 6 responses by jkontuly

Thanks blackdog. I don't have extra tubes right now would it be safe to switch the tubes on the same side just to test and see if can get the bias to .4? Just don't want to fry another tube. Unfortunately, it seems like these tubes aren't for sale anymore and ones that are seem to have shot up in price over the past 2 years.

 

Thanks russ69. I don't have that many hours on the tubes, had them for maybe 2 years but only probably use 5-10 hours of week due to busy schedule. if I keep the 2 shuguang treasures on 1 side will it sound bad if I replace the 2 on the side w/ the bad tube with something else? As I mentioned don't think I can find these tubes now and even if I could they are very pricey.

Bigkidz thanks for the kind offer. I used to live in Brooklyn. If i still did I would definitely take you up on your offer but I know live in LA which is a bit too far!

 

gs5556, I was able to find some spare tubes. I put them in and was able to reduce the bias for the tube location that had the fireworks. Hopefully, that means it was just the tube and not the amp, correct?

 

 

Sorry to hear about your troubles artemus_5. Except for the current situation I haven't had any issues w/ the Shuguang Treasures and I like the sound better than the tube store preferred series that i had been using but something to keep in mind. the last thing i need is for a tube to destroy my amp. Unfortunately, i don't have unlimited funds.

lowrider57, I am not home now but I will check. If I do I will definitely try it out. Hope I do but unfortunately I don't think so.

russ69, thanks for all of your helpful comments.

Given that I can set the bias for each tube individually is it still important that I replace both on the side that this occurs...I still plan on doing this but just more for my own education.