Sparking Power Tube

[trickyricky123]

Heya,

Not a direct Crack question - I've recently bought a Tung Sol 5998 for the Crack; when first turning it on a little white spark came off it. Second power on the same.

After removing the tube I notice there is 'rattling' going on in the 'neck' of it.

Is further use of this tube a big no-no? It sounds amazing, louder than some of my other tubes and very defined.. but obviously would prefer not to blow out my headphones.

After the first two sparks, haven't had it happen again.

[Paul Birkeland]

A little rattling can be loose glass in the base, and that isn't anything particularly unusual nor is it concerning.

A tube that arcs on power up may have an issue, but I would suggest letting the tube run for a few days constantly to see if perhaps it's just a gas issue that can be absorbed by the getter.