blubliss
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Posts posted by blubliss
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I heard this at the last SoCal meet and it was unbelievable. Literally can't tell if you are listening to the headphones or the speakers.
I spoke with the rep today and am on the list for a unit. They are somewhat flexible with knowledgeable headphone people to sell the unit without the Stax setup. They just don't want some fool with Ratshack headphones trying to use the system and saying it sounds like crap.
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As a first go, try making shields out of aluminum foil and wrapping them around the tubes. Literally, this means wrapping a tube of aluminum foil around the tubes. Be sure they are grounded to the chassis -- probably touching the screw that holds the socket on will be good.
edit: ah, you are using those dumb tube adapters? Almost certainly oscillation. Could be other stuff, too, but those were a bad idea from day 1.
Shields was an idea I had too. First I decided to prop up some ERS paper between the driver and power tubes, this worked. What does that mean?
So the adapters may be the issue?
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OK, so I have had for a long time now issues with some sort of interference in my system which manifests as a background high-pitch noise that is fatiguing after awhile. I have tried many things to assuage the problem because its source has been unknown. Thought it might just be digital harshness, the headphones, etc.
Anyway, I got some bendix 2C51 from luvdunhill recently and popped them in to my SDS-XLR (gotta live with what I got
) and when music started there was an intermittent static noise in both tubes. No music, no static. I thought it might be bad tubes. Anyway, this morning, for whatever reason, I decided to cup my hand around the tube (between driver & power tube), and lo and behold, the static ceased. I was not touching the case or tube, but if I touched the case it still worked. But only if i cupped my hand around the tube, not if I touched the case in other places.Is this some sort of interference between the power and driver tubes (2C51 & 6BL7GTA)? I have not noticed this with the other driver tubes, 6SN7, but it may be real low. I have noticed interference of a high-pitched nature as I mentioned before.
Now I had noticed some time back that I could no longer listen to single-ended phones on my SDS-XLR with the APL as source, major hum/static. If I used an adapter and went RCA into the amp, problem solved. I was told that this was due to the grounding schemes of the amp and source. The APL is transformer-coupled XLR output and the SDS-XLR is who knows what.
My thought now is that this tube issue is also related to ground issues. One other strange thing I noticed is that from time to time when I would disconnect my ICs and then put them back on the sound seemed to improve, that is, the interference was much less. But, over a short time it came back.
Could all of this be related to ground issues? What could I do to rectify? Any other info you need to help? Thanks.
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Gaby Kerpel - Carnabailito
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That was hilarious
or sad . -
I really like DP #18 disc 2. Really nice jams that are not too out there for me. I get lost sometimes when they go on rambles that are bizarre to me. Since I don't do drugs or drink anymore maybe i have just lost touch.
I got some of the suggested albums at Hoffman and it was a bit hit and miss for me. Quality can be really poor on GD recordings. But when they were on, musicians and engineers, it's really great. I like the stuff where Donna? sings.
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Went to about 4 shows in the 80's, was never a Deadhead but I still listen these days and have a large Dead collection.
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Blackie said he would take pics of the ES-2 for me. I'll post them when I get them.
On repairs he has to order a part before he makes a final evaluation. He is going to look into the PS to see if there are any issues.
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If blackie is within a sane distance you should visit him and have him go over the amp with his expertise and explain what he thinks is going on and what he thinks of it.
Perhaps see if he'd be wiling to open up the sds-xlr for you since there is the orientation/screw issue.
He has my ES-2 open right now in fact. He is 20 minutes from me. He is gonna listen after he fixes it and make some recommendations.
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THIS JUST IN
OK, waiting for picture verifications
In any singlepower electrostatic amp, if you have the voltmeter option, guess
what is in the power supply box?
In any singlepower amp if you have the chinese step attenuator option, guess
what is in the power supply box?
Hi Kevin,
Please do tell. At this moment right now Blackie is inside my ES-2 and I could have him fix things.
Thanks.
I will open up the SDS-XLR when I get the ES-2 back and I will probably open up the ES-2 as well.
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You most likely need to take the bottom off as tube amps are built upside down with everything mounted to the top plate.Absolutely correct. Put those top screws in pronto. Take apart from the bottom.
You may not like what you see.
Thank you. I was afraid of this, that's why I asked. I know the amp section is that way, but I thought the PS would be from the top.
I guess I did not say it was the PS I was opening in the question. Still the same answer?
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I'll help out.
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I'm gonna open up my SDS-XLR to get pics. I took off all the screws on the top plate, and it is still affixed. There are two screws between the middle and back edge of the top. I was afraid to take these off for fear that something would drop inside. But do you think these are attached to some sort of internal posts. Thoughts please?
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Yeah, Earl's solution is probably the best, thanks everyone.
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Good points Elephas. That same thought is on my mind now. But his prices are ridiculous.
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Ok, I think I figured it out. The reason the adapters are so loose is that the pins on the adapter are slightly thinner than the 6SN7 pins, hence not a great connection. Is there anything that can be done or should I just try a different adapter? Can I tighten the socket pin holes? Maybe I can pinch together the copper parts in the socket holes?
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Yeah, in the typical cheap chinese tube sockets I've seen, it would be entirely possible to bottom out before the tube is flat against it if the pins are longer than normal.
The pins do seem to be a bit longer on the adapters.
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Nate, thank you for checking. It seems strange to me too.
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Thank you Mr. Chalk!
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My other tubes, 6SN7s fit snugly. These adapters seem quite loose, like the pins are not touching correctly. On the first set I thought it was due to bent pins, but now that does not seem correct.
Cory is a really nice and helpful person so I don't want to send them back. The problem could be with my amp.
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SDS-XLR
Maybe it's something else?
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I got these cheap adapters on ebay from a real nice guy, but they are not working right. I know, you get what you pay for. He replaced the 1st pair with the same problem. I think I see the issue now. The pins are not the same length and are rocking in my sockets creating a static-like noise. I think the longer pin (1st picture right tube middle) is bottoming out in the socket? And the other pins have junk on the ends, solder?
Can I just make the pins even length by sanding, grinder, snips, or another method? Is it possible to make them too short?
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I'm sure he does, so do I and I have 1/10th the crap to ship he does. If I drop a package off to be packed 99% of the time it's sent the same day. If it isn't going to ship that day they let me know at time of drop off, not 7 days later.
Yeah, third party shipper is no excuse. Mikhail is definitely a big liar.
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I guess the implication is that he has a third party vendor that deals with his shipping and that it was closed during MLK.. much like my company has such a vendor.
I am a teensy bit skeptical.
Not to protect him in any way, shape, or form, but he has told me he uses a third party shipper place, like mailboxes etc. or something to that effect.
) and when music started there was an intermittent static noise in both tubes. No music, no static. I thought it might be bad tubes. Anyway, this morning, for whatever reason, I decided to cup my hand around the tube (between driver & power tube), and lo and behold, the static ceased. I was not touching the case or tube, but if I touched the case it still worked. But only if i cupped my hand around the tube, not if I touched the case in other places.
or sad 
Smyth Virtual Surround System
in Miscellaneous
Posted
There is an optical out on the unit so i guess you can run it through your dac later. I don't know what running through multiple dacs will do to the sound. I guess i'll find out.