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OLDER DECWARE GEAR SUPPORT >> SE84A, SE84B, SE84C, SE84C+,SE84CKC >> Loose tube sockets on a 2003 SE84C Zen amp.
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Message started by Miles on 07/28/09 at 21:57:50

Title: Loose tube sockets on a 2003 SE84C Zen amp.
Post by Miles on 07/28/09 at 21:57:50

The signal tube in it's ceramic socket has become so loose that often the tube will not light or will generate noise. I don't see how it's possible to gain access into the sockets in order to tighten the contacts. The sockets are the type that have an upper and a lower half held together by a tiny circlip. There is no access into the socket on the bottom and none on the top large enough to tighten the contacts.

Questions:

Is there a fix short of removing and replacing the socket? I counted 15 wires and leads soldered to this socket!

If I remove the circlip will I then have access to the contacts?

Hope someone has the answers. Thanks,

Miles

Title: Re: Loose tube sockets on a 2003 SE84C Zen amp.
Post by Steve Deckert on 07/29/09 at 18:57:28

There are two things that cause this problem; inserting tubes with crooked or bent pins and or using EI gold plated pin tubes. The diameter of these gold plated pins is larger than spec, so once these tubes are used regular tubes will be loose.

If you have a small enough tool (like a miniature ice pick) you can close the pin contacts again from the top of the socket by carefully inserting the pick between the outside of the contact and the ceramic.

Otherwise, the best thing to do would be to have the socket replaced.