Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: pbman1953 on August 26, 2024, 07:26:36 pm

Title: Tube amps and background static
Post by: pbman1953 on August 26, 2024, 07:26:36 pm
All my gear has been preforming well, but when its quiet some of mine have background static.


For example ,The Super Twin. This one has a master and volume. The static exhibits this when the master is up far for a clean setting, The  master is on 7-8 and I use the volume control as the main control of the volume. At that setting you hear the static
 
When I want a grittier sound , I set volume up to 6-9 and master as the main control, For this there's no static.




Also, there's some hum that goes up and down with the master. It's a tube amp ,I can't expect it to be whisper quiet but was wondering if there's something I should look at


Thanks




Title: Re: Tube amps and background static
Post by: Willabe on August 26, 2024, 07:58:26 pm
And?  :dontknow:
Title: Re: Tube amps and background static
Post by: Willabe on August 26, 2024, 08:03:43 pm
For example ,The Super Twin.
Is that 6 x 6L6GC, 180w? 
Title: Re: Tube amps and background static
Post by: pbman1953 on August 26, 2024, 08:27:50 pm
For example ,The Super Twin.
Is that 6 x 6L6GC, 180w?


Yes
Title: Re: Tube amps and background static
Post by: tubeswell on August 26, 2024, 08:56:08 pm
background static.


hissy or crackly?
Title: Re: Tube amps and background static
Post by: pbman1953 on August 26, 2024, 09:01:37 pm
hissy or crackly?

Crackling


Edit; untangled quote, Willabe
Title: Re: Tube amps and background static
Post by: tubeswell on August 26, 2024, 10:06:46 pm
How old are the output tubes?
Title: Re: Tube amps and background static
Post by: stratomaster on August 26, 2024, 11:28:33 pm
Pull your PI and see if the noise goes away.

If so, then put it back and pull your reverb recovery/3rd stage tube (I'm not sure what tube this is on this exact model but usually v4).  If the noise goes away again, then the problem is somewhere in your vibrato channel (90% or more of the time, I find it's in this area).  The good news is that you can try swapping in a new tube for V2/V4 and see if it was just a tube problem.  My money would be on that. 
Title: Re: Tube amps and background static
Post by: pbman1953 on August 27, 2024, 05:47:49 am
How old are the output tubes?


Bought within the last 2 years
Title: Re: Tube amps and background static
Post by: pbman1953 on August 27, 2024, 05:49:39 am
Pull your PI and see if the noise goes away.

If so, then put it back and pull your reverb recovery/3rd stage tube (I'm not sure what tube this is on this exact model but usually v4).  If the noise goes away again, then the problem is somewhere in your vibrato channel (90% or more of the time, I find it's in this area).  The good news is that you can try swapping in a new tube for V2/V4 and see if it was just a tube problem.  My money would be on that.






This is the first model without Reverb. Before leaving to work I tried swapping.  I'm not sure if it was warmed up enough to exhibit the noise. There was a GE 5751 in the inverter spot and it was slightly noisy. I took it out and installed a GE Ecc81 and it seems to be quieter but I'll know better when I have it on for a while later.
Title: Re: Tube amps and background static
Post by: pbman1953 on August 27, 2024, 06:58:03 pm
That tube was it, whisper quiet


Thanks!
Title: Re: Tube amps and background static
Post by: tubeswell on August 28, 2024, 12:02:32 am
How old are the output tubes?


Bought within the last 2 years


How much use have these had?
Title: Re: Tube amps and background static
Post by: pbman1953 on August 28, 2024, 05:54:54 am
How old are the output tubes?


Bought within the last 2 years


How much use have these had?


It's at home and not taken out much so  it's light
Title: Re: Tube amps and background static
Post by: pbman1953 on August 30, 2024, 06:13:34 am
Since the Ecc81/12at7 seemed to solve the issue, do I need to re-bias?





Thanks
Title: Re: Tube amps and background static
Post by: pbman1953 on August 31, 2024, 07:40:05 am
Did anyone see my last message?
Title: Re: Tube amps and background static
Post by: shooter on August 31, 2024, 07:55:51 am
my "rule of thumb"
I never "button up" an amp til I have a full set of voltage readings, AND have verified bias
Title: Re: Tube amps and background static
Post by: pbman1953 on August 31, 2024, 08:23:03 am
my "rule of thumb"
I never "button up" an amp til I have a full set of voltage readings, AND have verified bias




You're probably right but all i did was to replace the tube. But I can certainly check the bias , thanks!


Just to mention, on my Sunn 2000, with an 6AN8A, the amp starts up with that same crackle but goes away in 10 seconds. Could that be the difference of the "A" version vs. the non-A or could the tube be bad? I installed a non-A version and there wasn't a peep.
Title: Re: Tube amps and background static
Post by: pbman1953 on September 04, 2024, 10:55:56 am
Can anyone chime in my last question if you know the 6An8 tube?


Just to mention, on my Sunn 2000, with an 6AN8A, the amp starts up with that same crackle but goes away in 10 seconds. Could that be the difference of the "A" version vs. the non-A or could the tube be bad? I installed a non-A version and there wasn't a peep.