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Replaced tubes in preamp.. before I discover the real problem was a dirty switch.. (sigh)

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Posted on May 20, 2015 at 12:58:16
So my much loved tube preamp (VAC Standard) suddenly is not playing in the Left channel. The tubes are five years old, and I was leaving it on 24/7 for at least four years, until it was making some small 'tubish' gurgling noises (which stopped if I turned it off at night. Meaning even when on, no noise, IF I let it set off each night)

So I figured on of the tubes finally decided to die.
I replace the tubes.. Damn, still no Left channel..
Well I started flipping switches, and Yes the switch (I normally never use) for the 'Preamp bypass' was the guilty party. (I 'cleaned' it the fast and dirty way.. flipping it back and forth a few dozen times..)

I did not change the tubes back. They lasted a longtime anyway..
And the plus is I can go back to leaving the preamp on 24/7

Whoo Hoo.

The moral of the story is I am getting old and decrepit.. I need to pay better attention to what needs to be checked BEFORE I start swapping in new tubes.

Oh, yeah the new tubes sound pretty good.

 

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RE: Replaced tubes in preamp.. before I discover the real problem was a dirty switch.. (sigh), posted on May 20, 2015 at 14:53:31
airtime
Audiophile

Posts: 11287
Location: Arizona
Joined: February 4, 2003
It was a fair assumption. So don't beat yourself up over just that. It's not like you did anything really stupid.

 

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