Bottlehead Forum

Bottlehead Kits => Legacy Kit Products => Stereomour => Topic started by: smithanh on August 17, 2012, 07:20:56 PM

Title: I screwed up
Post by: smithanh on August 17, 2012, 07:20:56 PM

OK, I did something really stupid, I plugged a tube in sideways, on big post in the front and one in the back socket. And now the channel won't play. What did I do and how do I fix it?
Thanks!!

Title: Re: I screwed up
Post by: Paul Joppa on August 17, 2012, 08:50:32 PM

Man, I hate when that happens!  Yes, we've all done it - or will soon.  :^(

First, check the fuse. Second, you may have just bent the socket parts, which you can probably fix with a little careful work. Third, run the voltage checks and the Forum will start de-bugging. If it comes to that, tell us if the filament lights when powered, and which pins were where when the accident occurred - I am thinking that the filament (large pins) makes a good short circuit for the high voltage, so which pins were "shorted" together?

The original 300B has a small pin on the side of the base, which mates with a special bayonet socket, so that this can't happen. It never caught on, you can't find those sockets anymore, and nobody else has the side pin anyhow. Too bad.

Title: Re: I screwed up
Post by: smithanh on August 18, 2012, 01:56:09 AM

Some more information, the tube seems to be fine - I swapped them and the same channel (right) was out. Also, the amp was not plugged in so the problem would seem to be "mechanical" with the socket. I'm going to check the solder joints to see if any of them were damaged, then go on to voltages.
Thanks

Title: Re: I screwed up
Post by: howardnair on August 18, 2012, 11:22:36 AM

just to make sure i have this correct-you inserted the tube incorrectly with the amp either not on or unplugged  and you did not turn on the amp with the tube incorrectly inserted-if this is  so-use the ohm setting on your volt meter and one lead in the topside  pin hole of the socket and the other first on the solder tab side of pin hole  -do this with all four

Title: Re: I screwed up
Post by: earwaxxer on August 18, 2012, 01:06:30 PM

Andy - I usually blame stuff like that on the alcohol. Not enough that is!

Title: Re: I screwed up
Post by: smithanh on August 18, 2012, 03:09:23 PM

Good news, I crimped the socket and it works like a champ! Unfortunately, I can't really blame alcohol, much, (only had a couple beers) for the problem. I was eager to show it off to a fellow audio nut. But alls well that ends well, he's stunned at how much better that it sounds than his prima Luna amps! Look forward to a purchase in the near future, I hope I can get a finders fee! Thanks everyone for your help.
Andy

Title: Re: I screwed up
Post by: earwaxxer on August 18, 2012, 03:23:01 PM

cool! Better than the Prima Luna! They are one of the value leaders as far as I'm concerned.

Title: Re: I screwed up
Post by: Comity on August 22, 2012, 05:09:11 PM

Hi there, I am the audio nut Andy was speaking about with the Primaluna Prologue 7's.  I can truthfully say after Andy took his amp home I went back and listened to some of the same music and was very disappointed in the sound of the Primaluna's midrange.  It was night and day.  Gone was the huge, lush midrange that was clearer than any others I have heard.  I must admit I have not heard any other 2A3 amps, but after listening to Andy's I was floored at the level of detail and vocal clarity that was all wrapped up in one huge, rich soundstage.  I had never previously considered that I could be missing that much clarity with the primalunas.  I tried both KT88s and EL34s in my amp and it was still had the same basic character.

It looks like you have a new convert.  It's time to put the Prologue 7's up for sale and move on over to the dark side.  It's been a while since I've built a kit (Hafler amp and preamp) but I am excited to get back into it.  Thanks to Doc and company for bringing such great gear to the masses....much appreciated.

Title: Re: I screwed up
Post by: jimiclow on August 22, 2012, 05:14:17 PM

Welcome!
Even my Decwares are up for sale!  ;D

Title: Re: I screwed up
Post by: Comity on August 22, 2012, 05:40:11 PM

Thanks.....it sound's like you have also experienced a 'conversion'.  There's no going back now!

Title: Re: I screwed up
Post by: Jim R. on August 23, 2012, 06:12:16 AM

And the last amp I sold was a Shindo. :D  Great amp, but just as you found, the SE sonics when done right with DHTs, active loads and parafeed topology are truly something special in the world of audio.  It's what I want to listen to, and I've been through it all at one time or another.

Welcome!

-- Jim

Title: Re: I screwed up
Post by: Comity on August 23, 2012, 07:40:17 AM

Thanks Jim.  I just can reiterate enough how disappointed I felt when I went back to my amp after having lived with Andy's amp for a week.  It sounds like you had the same experience with the Shindo, which is a very highly regarded amp in audiophile circles.

I sure didn't expect that type of reaction!