[kirch]

Hey Guys -

The past month or so, I've been getting noise from my integrated when it's on and there's no music playing.  Like when I'm working and just let a CD play to the end and don't get around to putting in a different one on for a while.  There's this sort of a rumbly, interference-like sound - that I can recreate by gently pushing down on or slightly moving the tubes back and forth, on the left channel EL34's - which is where the noise is coming from. 

Yesterday, I put in a whole new set of tubes and I haven't noticed the noise yet, so I assume it was one or both of the tubes in the left channel. 

So my question is, since I swapped out all four tubes, do I still need to have this thing biased?  Or am I going to screw up something by NOT doing it?  Sure is a pain in the butt to have to take the system apart and run it in to have it biased, but I'll certainly do it if it's necessary.

By the way Bryan, any idea of when we're getting together at your place? 

[bpape]

Probably is a bad tube and you should probably rebias the amp as all tubes are slightly different. 

I got one of the speakers yesterday and the other is supposed to show up today - thanks UPS    Not sure when the amps will be in as I haven't spoken to Klaus yet.  I'm also having a channel imbalance with my pre right now and honestly haven't had time to figure out what the issue is.  I'm hoping maybe the end of this month I'll have everything together and somewhat broken in.

Bryan

[Mike D]

I agree.  If your bias is off too much, you will wear out your new tubes faster or be living with less-than-potential sound.  What amp do you have that needs to be taken in to be biased?

[kirch]

It's some Chinese no name EL34 40wpc integrated.  Great unit for the $$.  Just a pain to have to take outta the office and drop it off somewhere for a week.  But it that's what I have to do, I guess it's no big deal.

[Bill Baker]

Hi Brian, If this is the Audio Institute amp you purchased from me a couple of years ago, it would have to be rebiased when replacing tubes.

 If it is a different amp, do you know if it has an auto bias feature? If it is a manual bias, you should rebias the amp to assure the tubes are operating within their proper parameters. It will also effect the sound of teh amp if the tube are not biased properly.

[G]

It's some Chinese no name EL34 40wpc integrated.  Great unit for the $$.  Just a pain to have to take outta the office and drop it off somewhere for a week.  But it that's what I have to do, I guess it's no big deal.

Hi Kirsch. Re biasing is no big deal. If you would like you can come by and I will walk you through it step by step.

[kirch]

Gavin - that would be terrific - you don't live in Pacific too, do you?   Hopefully you're somewhere closer to civilization, where I won't have to pack a lunch to get to?  Thanks for the offer!  Drop me a PM and let me know what's good for you - I'm pretty flexible schedule-wise.

Kirch

[G]

Gavin - that would be terrific - you don't live in Pacific too, do you?   Hopefully you're somewhere closer to civilization, where I won't have to pack a lunch to get to?  Thanks for the offer!  Drop me a PM and let me know what's good for you - I'm pretty flexible schedule-wise.

Kirch

Nah. I live in Belleville. I work midnights so it would have to be a weekend evening. Just let me know.

[Scott F.]

Hopefully you're somewhere closer to civilization, where I won't have to pack a lunch to get to?

awww, you guys are all just cityfied wimps. Remember, this is Gods country we're talking about out here.

That and just because you don't have the fine entertainment that us Pacifican's enjoy, doesn't mean you can make fun of us.




 

[kirch]

Hey, that's something I haven't seen before . . .(now where's that darned dancing banana.)

[Bill Baker]

Hey Brian,
 Do you still have the bias instructions I provided with the amp? The biasing is a very simple process and would take you about 10 minutes.

[kirch]

Oh yeaaaaaahhhh.   Sure do Bill.  Got them right in front of me.  Forgot I had these.  Gotta run out to Radio Shack and get a multi meter.  Thanks for reminding me!  Guess the "Anheuser's" is starting to affect my memory a bit more these days.

[kirch]

Gentlemen - the operation was a success.  (Cue the dancing banana.)   Bill and Scott - thanks for your help!  And the offer to help, Gavin!

No smoke, no power outages.  Amazing.  I considered alerting the authorities before I began, just in case.  I'm no electrical engineer, that's for freakin' sure.

[G]

Gentlemen - the operation was a success.  (Cue the dancing banana.)   Bill and Scott - thanks for your help!  And the offer to help, Gavin!

No smoke, no power outages.  Amazing.  I considered alerting the authorities before I began, just in case.  I'm no electrical engineer, that's for freakin' sure.

Glad to hear it worked out.

[Bill Baker]

No problem dude. Glad tohear you were able to get things back in order without having to pack it up and take it for a road trip.

 Happy listening!