Tubes Asylum

Tube emitting tone

172.117.0.69

Joe Backer

Any fix for a WE 417a tube that's emitting an intermittent tone that pops up about every hour? If I tap the tube, it stops. I'm sure it's the tube because I've swapped channels and the tone follows.

Follow Ups:

That's called 'microphonics' and you simply have to replace the tube. - Ralph 10:20:43 10/06/21 (2)
Tube damping rings will do nothing for this!
- RE: That's called 'microphonics' and you simply have to replace the tube. - pictureguy 21:16:29 11/12/21 (1)
  So than WHY tube damping rings? Makes me curious.....?
  Too much is never enough
  - All tubes, even good ones, are microphonic - Ralph 10:23:49 11/15/21 (0)
    So you can hear differences using the damping rings. You just have to be careful to not overdo it, because the damping rings reduce the tube's ability to get rid of heat. Heat will shorten its life. That is why dusty tubes don't last as long.
    
    IME on a small signal tube I've never heard one degrade the sound. They can be helpful if the preamp is in the same room as the speakers, since the more still the tube is the less microphonic it will be as well.
RE: Tube emitting tone - Jack G 13:45:08 10/03/21 (3)
Sounds like vibrations/microphonics. Get some tube dampers from Herbies. They work. Otherwise, get a new tube.
Jack
- RE: Tube emitting tone - pictureguy 14:42:47 10/03/21 (2)
  For tubes OTHER than ouput, which I suspect tend to run hotter, you don't need a brand name.
  
  Find a place that sells Orings.....online will do.
  
  Buy a high-temp o-ring. Red Silicon is goo to hotter than low level tubes will get......
  
  you'll need diameter.....which can be gotten with a PIECE OF STRING and a ruler......easy calcuation involving PI.
  
  I linked a SQUARE cross section ring, which should have MORE bearing area on the tube.
  It comes in BUNA and SILICON......The Silicon is GOOD to over 400f.......
  Too much is never enough
  - https://www.rocketseals.com/square-cut-o-rings/ (Open in New Window)
  - O rings - Uncle Mike 15:52:01 10/03/21 (1)
    Jim McShane used to carry a selection based on tube type. Check with him.
    It sucks to get old. It really sucks to get old and bitter.
    - http://www.mcshanedesign.net/ (Open in New Window)
    - RE: O rings - pictureguy 19:28:22 10/03/21 (0)
      I'm cost aware.
      
      In years past, I wokred on vacuum equipment using Orings on every feedthru. Dozens of 'em replaced during any PM / major service.
      
      We COULD have gone to the seller of the equipment OR the manufacture of what we needed.
      
      Buying more.....direct....saved a bundle and was the SAME part.
      
      O-Ring izing is not rocket science. The 1st number is the cross section of the material and the 2nd number, usually a 3 digit number is the overall diameter. You order by 'durometer....which in this case can broadly be taken as the 'springiness' of the ring. Silicon is probably the MOST COMMON for tube amp use and will work on all tubes. Ask a pro about power tubes......I simply do NOT know how hot they actually get.
      
      Your Mcshanedesign link recommends EXACTLY what I was indicating, right down to the rem max, which is actually In Excess of 400f.(around 230c)
      
      I will say that for the McShane ask? in THIS case 'easy' may work well......These are not a consumable item and as such should last for years.......
      Too much is never enough

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