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Hi all, I have a little Antique Sound Labs 1003-dt that I've used for years. It's never really given me trouble but lately one or both speakers will start with soft white noise and get louder and louder. And it's not consistent white noise, it comes and goes really quickly. Also the bias for one of the tubes (which varies) always starts off very low while all the others are normal. If I wiggle the tubes around a little I can usually get it balanced and the noise to go away, but it slowly comes back.
Does anyone have a suggestion for what to do here? I figure at the very least I need to do a thorough cleaning, I haven't cleaned the unit in years. What would be the best product and where should I start?
Thanks for any info.
-Todd
Follow Ups:
That soft white noise plus the fact that it won't bias could mean the tube is going - swap it out and see.
WW
New Orthophonic High Fidelity
There is a product called Caig Deoxit that is good for cleaning tube pins--just use it sparingly and wipe off the pins before re-inserting the tubes. You may also need to re-tension the tube sockets to grip the pins better; do a search here for more information about this.
It is also possible your tubes are approaching the point where they need to be replaced. I'd suggest getting a replacement set at least for the output tubes.
Thanks JJ, I see a lot of products by Caig Deoxit, is there one in particular you suggest? Thanks.
I use DeOxit D5, a spray that is 5% active ingredient, most of the rest is a flushing agent (naptha). For tube pins the flushing away of impurities is every bit as important as the cleaning action performed by the active ingredient.
One can of D-5 will last a typical tube audio enthusiast for years.
You can buy 100% DeOxit and such, but it is not as effective as the 5% spray. I've used it on 10s of thousands of tubes with great results - just follow the directions!
Agreed.
I use D5 on sockets quite a bit.
When problems become increasingly difficult,we can always rely on our collective knowledge and seek relief.
...since I last bought any. I think the original Deoxit may now be called Deoxit D5 and is mainly for cleaning contacts, while Deoxit Gold (previously called Progold?) is more for conditioning, that is, you leave a little on the contact surfaces and it protects them and improved electrical contact. However, these product roles are somewhat overlap. They also had to reformulate some products early on to meet health-safety regulations.
Perhaps another reader is more up-to-date on what Caig is doing.
You may however still have a tube issue.
They are changing their product names no doubt because there are much better products out there that give you three times as much for about 40% less in price.
Diamonsouled Larry and I have been using MG Chemicals and even tho the smell is a little annoying at first,the cleaners are much more effective.On one my of Mac C20 preamps I was cleaning the volume pot every 3 to 4 weeks with cali-luve or the Deoxit gold.finally I used the MG 401B-340g,and I never had to clean it for a year and a half.
I have 3 cans of this and its the best control cleaner and lube I have seen in 30 years.
When problems become increasingly difficult,we can always rely on our collective knowledge and seek relief.
Edits: 06/10/12
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