howie
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Post by howie on Apr 18, 2016 20:43:32 GMT
The buzzing is there even when Ember isn't connected to the DAC. My amps buzz if there is no connection to the input. I think that would be normal.
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jello
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Post by jello on Apr 18, 2016 20:55:28 GMT
Yes that's normal. Frans mentioned it when he was helping me with something on my old Ember a while back.
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solderdude
Administrator
measureutternutter
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Post by solderdude on Apr 18, 2016 21:42:39 GMT
Some tubes still work in high voltage all tube amps butr are too 'worn' to operate on the relative low voltage of the Ember. If you can't get it to work with your amp sell the tubes and use the ones that DO work. Or you but a metal can around it and electrically connect that to either: 1: The left rear 'post' of the amplifier but you MUST jumper wire 'OPT-1' for this to work 2: The metal part of the volume control 3: The screen of one of the RCA outputs. How do I do 1 or 2 or 3? please elaborate. connect one end of a piece of wire to any of the 3 given points and the other end of the wire to the 'screen' you are putting around it. The wires on tube work as big antennae and pick up nasties. Some tubes run on lower currents and are thus more sensitive. ditch the tubes and enjoy the ones that work or but the whole thing in a metal box and connect the metal box (bare metal part) to any of the 3 mentioned options.
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Rabbit
Administrator
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Post by Rabbit on Apr 18, 2016 21:51:27 GMT
Personally, I wouldn't use those tubes. Change to a quieter one. That would mean not using any 6SN7 tubes! That's it. Seems like a sensible solution if there's a bad match. If the Ember is working at low voltage, then the valve has to be capable of doing this. If not, it's just a mismatch. What do you think you are gaining from those three valves?
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Post by techboy on Apr 19, 2016 4:52:56 GMT
I changed the room and the problem went away. Now I have to see what in the original room is causing it.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Apr 19, 2016 6:50:10 GMT
That's exactly what I found with my first Sunrise. In my case, it was the fact that I had some synthesisers switched on upstairs.
Suggests that the valves are a bit sensitive to noise and you might benefit from a shield for them if you want to continue using them. Before you do though, I would try to objectively compare to the others and be honest with yourself as to whether you really hear any differences and whether it's worth the trouble, Aakshey.
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Post by techboy on Apr 19, 2016 7:02:21 GMT
Yes. The Syl VT 231 is a lot better.
Anyway, I'll check with my guy whether my room has been earthed or not.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Apr 19, 2016 7:23:24 GMT
OK. As long as you are really convinced because over many years, I have found differences to be very subtle and half the time, I have felt that the extra expense of a dearer valve is often not worth it in the end.
Then again, I guess it's similar to digital files and resolution. Even with that, it's not the 'sound' that I hear differences in, it's the dynamic range that I detect more than anything, if the recording still has any dynamic range left in it. That also accounts perhaps for why I do and don't hear differences, depending on the recordings.
With valves, I do struggle a bit and it comes more down to noise levels for me. If I have a noisy valve, it goes. I had to recently throw out a Golden Globe because over the period of a year or a bit more, the noise floor became a bit more obvious. Changed to a common old Jan Philips. Result was a very low noise floor and actually, sounded great. Not as bad as I remember when comparing with the Golden Globe at the start.
Mind you, Jeremy has a healthy attitude towards valve sound as well and he knows what is what. He supplies some very good cheaper options which to my ears, is what they're worth!!
What exactly do you think the VT231 does to the sound?
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Post by techboy on Apr 19, 2016 7:49:30 GMT
Bigger SS. Better imaging. Removes a veil from the music.
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Rabbit
Administrator
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Post by Rabbit on Apr 19, 2016 8:07:21 GMT
OK. As long as you hear that, then it's probably money well spent. A valve that's over sensitive to noise though, does indicate that it might well be the wrong valve to use, which is why I'm saying, be sure that's the route that you want to take.
As Frans has said, some don't work so well at low voltages. The problem may be that your valves are working on the cusp of a working voltage so that when they start to get a bit tired, it will become worse making you think that the amp is failing. Ie., they have a short working life on the Ember.
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howie
quite active
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Post by howie on Apr 19, 2016 9:32:57 GMT
I've found my wee tube tester to be invaluable in that respect, Ian. Several 'NOS' tubes, which had good characteristics at the conventional higher test anode voltages, have failed to achieve the expected levels at lower voltages and I've returned them as unsuitable for my low voltage Garage amps.
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Post by techboy on Apr 19, 2016 11:25:47 GMT
Got my electrician to fix the earthing. No noise now He didn't charge anything. I gave him a 5 quids tip to make him happy
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Apr 19, 2016 12:49:19 GMT
Gld that you have it sorted Aakshey.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Apr 19, 2016 12:52:28 GMT
I've found my wee tube tester to be invaluable in that respect, Ian. Several 'NOS' tubes, which had good characteristics at the conventional higher test anode voltages, have failed to achieve the expected levels at lower voltages and I've returned them as unsuitable for my low voltage Garage amps. Exactly Howard. Also, I'm not saying this has happened to Aakshey, but you do get these people who sell NOS and in fact it's a lie. How can you tell? As long as they look clean it's difficult without having a tester. When I was a student, I used to go around fixing peoples' black and white tube tv's. Normally, the fix was a valve change so I ised an awful lot of 'pulls' to do the repairs. Old tellies that still had working valves provided spares. (And radios of course, which was my real love)
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howie
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Post by howie on Apr 19, 2016 13:15:18 GMT
Oh don't get me started Ian. I've had a stressful enough day already with the wife, having brought mud into the house after my very early morning walk on the golf course! It's amazing though what rubbish sellers churn out. Having said that at least with a tube you can test it and have a listen. I never buy from a dealer that refuses returns. I would buy from Jeremy but he alerted me to the fact that with postage and customs/Royal Mail charges I would be paying far more than the price of the tube.
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