Tubes Asylum

Drat, another tube went poof in my ARC VS110

50.161.171.220

Bigjimsguitars

A

I really like the aural qualities of EH Fat Bottle 6550's, but have had 2 go bad in less than a year. Today it was V7 that popped and took out the protection resistor. Luckily I have one (resistor) and from last time know how to go about the repair.

Ordered a tube and if it happens again, will have to consider different tubes altogether.

Jim
ARS VS-110
Customized Bottlehead Foreplay II
Preamp
Magnepan 2.5R's
B&W ASW 300 Subs
Ah Tjoeb Tube CD Player
w/Siemens E288CC's
MaggieMate X/O's from subs to
2.5R's

Follow Ups:

RE: Drat, another tube went poof in my ARC VS110 - Bigjimsguitars 13:52:31 07/20/15 (8)
No Bueno...replaced the burnt resistor on the bottom and still no dice to V7. Need the circuit diagram to see which one to replace in top.

Jim
ARS VS-110
Customized Bottlehead Foreplay II
Preamp
Magnepan 2.5R's
B&W ASW 300 Subs
Ah Tjoeb Tube CD Player
w/Siemens E288CC's
MaggieMate X/O's from subs to
2.5R's
- RE: Drat, another tube went poof in my ARC VS110 - llwhtt 12:58:57 07/23/15 (7)
  Last ARC I worked on an output tube took out all three resistors, cathode, screen and plate. I have a drawer of spares now, impossible to find the fusible resistors other than from ARC. I can find listings for them but no stock.
  
  Craig
  - RE: Drat, another tube went poof in my ARC VS110 - Bigjimsguitars 13:52:55 07/23/15 (6)
    Craig, thanks for that, I've change all but the Cathode resistor, maybe I should try that next.
    
    Jim
    ARS VS-110
    Customized Bottlehead Foreplay II
    Preamp
    Magnepan 2.5R's
    B&W ASW 300 Subs
    Ah Tjoeb Tube CD Player
    w/Siemens E288CC's
    MaggieMate X/O's from subs to
    2.5R's
    - RE: Drat, another tube went poof in my ARC VS110 - Mendel 07:24:14 07/24/15 (5)
      Never been a fan of ARC's using resistors as "fuses" for their output tubes. If your not handy with a soldering iron,it means a trip to the tech every time a tube fails. Not very user friendly.
      Much prefer amps with tube fuses even if you give up a tiny bit in sound quality due to the fuses. At least you can have your amp up and running again in minutes if a tube fails.
      That said, I have blown more EH KT88 in my amp than any other output tube. I recommend trying another brand.
      - RE: Drat, another tube went poof in my ARC VS110 - Bigjimsguitars 16:21:18 07/24/15 (4)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Drat, another tube went poof in my ARC VS110 posted by Mendel on July 24, 2015 at 07:24:14
        
        Mendel:
        
        I too was a bit timid soldering on PCB's, several here said go for it and it was easy once I figured out what is what. I agree about the quality of the newer EH tubes and if I pop another will be looking for something else. The irony, the original output tubes (EH) lasted over a decade, go figure.
        
        Jim
        ARS VS-110
        Customized Bottlehead Foreplay II
        Preamp
        Magnepan 2.5R's
        B&W ASW 300 Subs
        Ah Tjoeb Tube CD Player
        w/Siemens E288CC's
        MaggieMate X/O's from subs to
        2.5R's
        
        RE: Drat, another tube went poof in my ARC VS110 - Jim McShane 11:21:34 07/25/15 (3)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Drat, another tube went poof in my ARC VS110 posted by Bigjimsguitars on July 24, 2015 at 16:21:18
        
        Generally I have very little trouble with EH KT-88s. But for ARC amps I recommend what they are using/recommending - which right now is the Sovtek 6550WE.
        
        If I lose another output tube... - Bigjimsguitars 12:32:02 07/27/15 (1)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Drat, another tube went poof in my ARC VS110 posted by Jim McShane on July 25, 2015 at 11:21:34
        
        I will take Jim McShane's recommendation and go with Sovtek's.
        
        Jim
        ARS VS-110
        Customized Bottlehead Foreplay II
        Preamp
        Magnepan 2.5R's
        B&W ASW 300 Subs
        Ah Tjoeb Tube CD Player
        w/Siemens E288CC's
        MaggieMate X/O's from subs to
        2.5R's
        
        Back in the game! - Bigjimsguitars 18:09:47 07/27/15 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: If I lose another output tube... posted by Bigjimsguitars on July 27, 2015 at 12:32:02
        
        Replacement tube arrived, biased all 8. Some good Argentine Malbec and Rolling Stones are making sweet music!
        
        Jim
        ARS VS-110
        Customized Bottlehead Foreplay II
        Preamp
        Magnepan 2.5R's
        B&W ASW 300 Subs
        Ah Tjoeb Tube CD Player
        w/Siemens E288CC's
        MaggieMate X/O's from subs to
        2.5R's
        
        Thank you Craig! - Bigjimsguitars 12:29:49 07/27/15 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Drat, another tube went poof in my ARC VS110 posted by Jim McShane on July 25, 2015 at 11:21:34
        
        I actually have a day-off and replaced the Cathode resistor and was able to get a reading. Once the replacement tube arrives, will bias it and should be good to go.
        
        Thanks a bunch for your knowledge.
        
        Jim
        ARS VS-110
        Customized Bottlehead Foreplay II
        Preamp
        Magnepan 2.5R's
        B&W ASW 300 Subs
        Ah Tjoeb Tube CD Player
        w/Siemens E288CC's
        MaggieMate X/O's from subs to
        2.5R's

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