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AUDIO FORUMS >> General Discussion and Support >> Rectifier tube rattling
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Message started by flargosa on 08/13/19 at 20:55:33

Title: Rectifier tube rattling
Post by flargosa on 08/13/19 at 20:55:33

The rectifier tube on my Super Zen has started to rattle and keeps doing so until shutdown. Is the tube nearing its end?

Title: Re: Rectifier tube rattling
Post by Steve Deckert on 08/14/19 at 04:04:09

Often modern day rectifiers will "chatter" like you are presently hearing. It does not mean it's nearing it's end, however we don't tolerate it because it's annoying. Since the guitar amp industry is what drives rectifier tube sales from China, Yugoslavia, no one sees the tubes, and you can't hear if they rattle or not so it is tolerated. Myself, we reject anything that does this, and sadly even though it doesn't do it when it leaves our shop, sometimes it will start doing as the result of shipping, or simply several days or weeks in use.

If you firmly tap the top of the tube while it is doing it, it will usually stop. That said, we have a 90day warranty on tubes so if it is less old than that call us and we'll replace it. The best long term solution is to break away from the current modern day 3rd world production that pales in comparison to USA made tubes in the 40's 50' 60's . Find yourself a New Old Stock tube from this era branded by RCA, GE, SYLVANIA, PHILIPS, WESTINGHOUSE to name a few, and not only will the amplifier sound better but the rectifier could well last 30 years if it's a really good one.

Steve