Buzz after adding new Tung Sol 5998 tube to Crack

DenverDude · 1135

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline DenverDude

  • Jr. Member
  • **
    • Posts: 35
Hello all - I built a Crack w/ Speedball about 8 years ago, and in recent months it has developed a little buzz in the output, mostly in the left channel. However, the situation is resolved if I slightly prop the left side of the unit up with a small board, which I have been doing the last few months.

I also noticed I was sometimes getting harmonics and I could get it to stop or lessen when I tap on the metal top of the unit.

I was wondering if this was a tube issue, so I replaced the stock RCA CRC-6080 tube with a NOS Tung Sol 5998. I also have a Valvo ECC82 tube that I rolled into this unit about 5 years ago which is still in the unit.

Now, when I turn on the unit, I get a much louder buzzing noise (which is much more pronounced in the left channel) and this lasts about 20-30 minutes. Once it dissipates, there is no buzzing, the background is pitch dark and the music has never sounded better.

So do I have a tube problem, a circuitry problem, or both? Your expert help is much appreciated. :)



Offline Tom-s

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
    • Posts: 500
Reply #1 on: May 16, 2020, 09:39:32 AM
It's probably a solder connection that's not perfect. Try reheating all solder joints on the 8 pin socket and connecting wires.



Offline Doc B.

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
    • Posts: 9659
    • Bottlehead
Reply #2 on: May 16, 2020, 10:52:59 AM
Clean your tube pins and the socket contacts too.

Dan "Doc B." Schmalle
President For Life
Bottlehead Corp.