Can someone explain the "Chopstick Method" to me?

[Logan B.]

So I've had my Crack+Speedball for less than a year now. Although my voltages are correct and it has been working fine, I still get crackles from the amp once in a while. I've replaced the tubes 3 times so I don't think that's the problem.

This was my first build, so I probably have some cold joint(s) somewhere.

Could someone tell me what exactly I supposed to be hearing for when touching chopsticks to the soldered joints?

Also, would earbuds with a 1/4 to 3.5 mm jack work fine for this task, as I don't want to use my Sennhesiers.

Many thanks.

[Kitchener]

Once you tap the component with the flaky joint, you should hear popping, scratching or channels dropping out.
In a faultless Crack, nudging internal components with a chopstick should not make any noise.

I had a flaky joint on one of the long resistors between the tube sockets.
When I nugded the resistor and other connected parts, I’d get loud popping in the left channel.
Eventually the left channel crapped out entirely.

Of course, I’m a dumbass so used my sausage fingers to probe the Crack.
Don’t be a dumbass; use something non-conductive.

Use disposable listening gear, whatever you have on hand.

[Logan B.]

Once you tap the component with the flaky joint, you should hear popping, scratching or channels dropping out.
In a faultless Crack, nudging internal components with a chopstick should not make any noise.

I had a flaky joint on one of the long resistors between the tube sockets.
When I nugded the resistor and other connected parts, I’d get loud popping in the left channel.
Eventually the left channel crapped out entirely.

Of course, I’m a dumbass so used my sausage fingers to probe the Crack.
Don’t be a dumbass; use something non-conductive.

Use disposable listening gear, whatever you have on hand.

So in order to hear channel dropouts, I should have music playing from my DAC?

[Kitchener]

Yeah, music helps to hear if channels drop out.
But no music is better for hearing slight noises while probing.

I’m pretty sure you’ll get some loud popping noises either way, though.
So just experiment a little, with and without music playing through the Crack.

[adydula]

Let me add.......

Seems like many people have issues with popping, cracking etc...me too.

Seems like one of the culprits to watch out for are the connections for the leds attached to the 12AU7 tube socket...

Mine was working well for several months and after changing the signal tube several times over weeks...wiggling it in and out of the
socket my leds developed a mechanical "fracture" on the leads coming out if the led...make and break, wiggle the tube in the socket and
get loud popping and when doing this with the chopstick method from the underside I saw the LED actually going off and on...

My solution was to replaced and re-install the leds with some "relief" in how these are soldered to the socket and term strips...leaving some
excess leas slightly bent up to provide a little stress relief when changing out tubes.

The other thought is now after having the crack for awhile I find myself changing out tubes less and less and thus the decrease in creating a
fracture due to tight fitting parts or a cold marginal joint the becomes worse by the wiggling of tube removal and insertion...

FYI..

Alex

[Logan B.]

Thanks for all the help, guys.

Cheers!