Ever since my left hand channel rectifier (EZ81) collapsed, I've been speculating that, around that time, I started having sound issues from my rig, in terms of its quality, and even remember having in a couple occasions to increase the left hand channel volume as it was not at the same level of the right hand channel's.

At the time, I thought my room conditions (being somewhat assymetrical) in certain recordings may have produced this situation, and never obviuosly suspected a possible gradually failing rectifying tube.

I have a question for the technically savvy members on this community, as to whether this hypothesis of mine may have been behind the sound issues described.  Can a rectifier tube 'fade away' like Patton, or is it a dramatic on-off condition?

This is important to me, because I've been remembering the more recent listening sessions when I try to analyse what may be missing in my rig's sound in order to further improve it.  But now I have a suspicion that it may have been the rectifier contributing to some of those deficiencies.

All this time, I've also assumed that I was getting used to the high quality of sound from my Decware units, and concluded that I was becoming more demanding as I wanted more of a good thing.  But, it could well be that I was actually experiencing the issues from that rectifier and thus the sound was loosing quality, gradually.

All this sense of lack of transparency, and slightly warm tone, with less openness than desired may have been in part a product of the failing rectifier.  If this is the case, replacing it would restore the original sound and my recent sound memory replaced by the new experience and possibly finding out I don't really have that much of a real sound issue to improve.  Or, maybe the sound shortcomings would acquire a different profile from the most recent memories.

Maybe this is just wishful thinking, so I pose the question to you guys.  Thanks kindly for your thoughts on this.

Had the exact same issue and changed rectifier's and power tubes.  I believe the power tubes are still fine so I would follow Lon's advice and start with the rectifier.  If it persists try the power tubes.

It's possible that you weren't completely satisfied with the signature of that rectifier with the input tube, or the input tube, or. . . . Tube-rolling should give you differing perspective sounds and hopefully you can find one that lets you have that "ah!" period of listening.

It's the rectifiers...and psycho-acoustics...your mind is playing tricks on you. You will see when the package arrives. I can't believe it is taking so long. I sent a camera lens to Mexico, same shipping method, and it took less than a week.

Ok, Les, so which of the two is it (the rectifier or the psycho-acoustics)?  A little bit of both?  

I tell you, I'm sure there was something deteriorating in the SQ on my few last sessions.  This made me wonder about my DAC and so forth.  Then, the volume on left channel decreased ... and a couple of sessions later it went off.

I still need to improve the warmth and transparency issues, I'm sure, but I bet is going to be less of a task with the new tubes in place (hopefully).

I warned you about the local postal service.  What I find incredible, is that package is supposed to be still on your side of the Rio Grande.  For Sandy reasons maybe?  Northeastern cities may be involved in the delivery hub network from the USPS.  I really don't know.

Is there some way you can find out with USPS if there has been a problem explaining this delay?  Thanks!

Is there some way you can find out with USPS if there has been a problem explaining this delay?  Thanks!

After 30 days I can ask the P.O. to trace it...I think. I know it went to Miami. What is the best and most secure way to send a parcel to Panama?

The rectifier should be fine. It may die but it's too new to be degraded.

The psycho-acoustics reference was not a joke. Somedays my rig sounds great and sometimes not so good. It's me, not the system.