Forums - SE84UFO noisy left channel

Geno

Seasoned Member

Without music, life
would be a mistake.

Posts: 2000

SE84UFO noisy left channel
09/16/18 at 18:32:24

Hi all,

I have a SE84UFO that has a noisy left channel. I removed all tubes and used a brush to clean the sockets. Reinstalled the tubes and there is less noise but it is still there. This is a light crackling sound.

Is there a safe way to deep clean the sockets? I’m talking about inside the socket. I’ve seen a few YouTube videos, but wanted to check with you members to see if anyone has done this.

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(2)SE84UFO(Balanced Monoblocs) OR Sansui AU-222
Crown sub amp
Cambridge Audio CXN(ModWright) • ZBIT
SL-1210MK5(KAB Mods) Soundsmith Aida MKll cart • Darlington Labs MP-7
Otari MX5050-Bll2 R2R
ZLC Power Cond.
Lii Audio PT-10/W-15 in open baffles

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Geno Seasoned Member Without music, life would be a mistake. Posts: 2000	Re: SE84UFO noisy left channel Reply #1 - 09/16/18 at 19:01:58 I forgot to mention that the light crackling noise is on the left speaker. I swapped speaker terminals at the amp and the noise switched to the right speaker. This isolates the noise to the left channel. Also, I have thoroughly swapped all tubes out. I’m fairy sure the problem is a dirty rectifier socket.
Back to top	(2)SE84UFO(Balanced Monoblocs) OR Sansui AU-222 Crown sub amp Cambridge Audio CXN(ModWright) • ZBIT SL-1210MK5(KAB Mods) Soundsmith Aida MKll cart • Darlington Labs MP-7 Otari MX5050-Bll2 R2R ZLC Power Cond. Lii Audio PT-10/W-15 in open baffles IP Logged

Archie

Seasoned Member

Posts: 2731

Re: SE84UFO noisy left channel
Reply #2 - 09/16/18 at 19:08:30

Geno, does the noise have anything to do with warm up? I'm having a CSP3 issue that occurs within the first few minutes of warm up where I have a right channel surge in sound that comes and goes and is influenced by shifting the corresponding tubes. Steve thinks it's a cracked solder joint. The issue came about suddenly but persists with different tubes.

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ZLC
Technics 1200G TT w/ Ortofon Jubilee MC cart
ZMC1
ZP3 (25th A Mods)
ZR2 (25th A Mods)
CSP3 (25th A mods)
ZMA (25th A mods)
Homemade Big Betsy Speakers (F15s)
Silver Cabling
DIY Isolation platforms under amps & TT.

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Geno Seasoned Member Without music, life would be a mistake. Posts: 2000	Re: SE84UFO noisy left channel Reply #3 - 09/16/18 at 19:17:43 Hi Archie. The light crackling noise is constant. Every once in a while, it gets a little louder, but then quiets back down. I guess that it is possible that there may be some kind of electrical interference.
Back to top	(2)SE84UFO(Balanced Monoblocs) OR Sansui AU-222 Crown sub amp Cambridge Audio CXN(ModWright) • ZBIT SL-1210MK5(KAB Mods) Soundsmith Aida MKll cart • Darlington Labs MP-7 Otari MX5050-Bll2 R2R ZLC Power Cond. Lii Audio PT-10/W-15 in open baffles IP Logged

Archie

Seasoned Member

Posts: 2731

Re: SE84UFO noisy left channel
Reply #4 - 09/17/18 at 00:21:02

I also get a crackling from turning the master volume on the CSP3 when music plays. Based on my different but possibly similar issues I don't think you have a tube issue.

Steve once suggested that I take an old or burned out 9 pin tube and cut off 8 pins and use the remaining pin to test the tension of each pin socket. Might be worth trying if you haven't already.

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ZLC
Technics 1200G TT w/ Ortofon Jubilee MC cart
ZMC1
ZP3 (25th A Mods)
ZR2 (25th A Mods)
CSP3 (25th A mods)
ZMA (25th A mods)
Homemade Big Betsy Speakers (F15s)
Silver Cabling
DIY Isolation platforms under amps & TT.

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Geno

Seasoned Member

Without music, life
would be a mistake.

Posts: 2000

Re: SE84UFO noisy left channel
Reply #5 - 09/19/18 at 03:37:27

Well, by accident, I figured out where the noise was coming from. Today, I got a new digital interconnect to put between my cd transport and my new ZDSD. Hooked it up and played a couple of CDs. During a quiet passage in the music, I noticed I did not hear any interference. I stopped the music and turned the volume up slightly. No noise. Just goes to show that when a problem like this happens, it could be almost anything.

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(2)SE84UFO(Balanced Monoblocs) OR Sansui AU-222
Crown sub amp
Cambridge Audio CXN(ModWright) • ZBIT
SL-1210MK5(KAB Mods) Soundsmith Aida MKll cart • Darlington Labs MP-7
Otari MX5050-Bll2 R2R
ZLC Power Cond.
Lii Audio PT-10/W-15 in open baffles

IP Logged