? Failing valves

opus10no12

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Jul 19, 2021
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Hi All,
New to forum but 2 posts in 10 minutes.
Prior to my Audio Research 75SE failing, when listening to vinyl ( Kiseki Purple Heart 100 hrs ) and Icon Audio PS 3 phono stage ( 2000 hrs ) via Audio Research amps, I started getting a tapping noise ( mainly L channel ) very clearly through Martin Logan Expression 13A’s. (Imagine gently tapping a half full glass of chilled Sauvignon Blanc with a teaspoon and that is the noise exactly)
Tapping the valves directly had no effect and it only happened when a record was being played and signal being sent , not when the arm was raised. It did not happen with cd’s i.e. with the pre- amp set to cd, not phono.
I have had the Icon Audio revalved and also the LS26 ( 3000+ Hours)
I am waiting for a loan power amp but does this ring a bell with anyone?
The sound was fine, just the tapping that didn’t keep time with the music!
BW
Opus10no12
 

microstrip

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May 30, 2010
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If it did not happen when the arm was raised I would think it is probably mechanical noise from the turntable being picked by the stylus.

However sometimes signals can trigger strange behavior in equipment - can you reverse the left and right cables of the RIAA to preamplier and see it the noise moves to the R channel?
 

opus10no12

New Member
Jul 19, 2021
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Thanks
I hope it’s not from the turntable -SME 15.
I can’t imagine it being the cartridge.
I’m just waiting to get a loam power amp and see how the valve change has gone. Hopefully cured but I’ll try changing the leads around. I’ll keep posting till it’s sorted out. May help someone else
BW
Opus10no12
 

Pacha

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Apr 23, 2014
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I would think if this tapping noise did not occur with any other input the amp is not the issue.
 
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