valvelover Posted March 5, 2014 Posted March 5, 2014 Hey Guys, I went to fire up my system last night, the left channel isn't working. The 5687 valve lights up, but is dimmer than usual. The E88CC and 845 valves didn't fire up at all. I checked the power cables and it looks like some wild rodents had partially chewed through the power cord. I got a new IEC cord today, just tried it, no difference. I swapped the power socket over, no change. Other items plugged into this same power board work without issue, including the same socket that it was originally plugged into. I unseated and reseated the E88CC and 845 valves, to no avail. I will try swapping these 2 non working valves over from the good monobloc to the one that's not working, to eliminate valves, but I doubt that that is it, since it'd be exceedingly unlucky to have 2 valves go at the same time. The unit last worked without issue on Monday evening. There is no burning smell. I am yet to swap out the fuses, but I feel that that is not the issue, since if a fuse had blown, none of the valves would light up imho. The fact that the 5687 valve lights up, albeit dimly, makes me feel that it's a wiring issue internally - i.e. a rodent has gotten in and chewed through 1 or more cable. I guess it is possible that it's a genuine fault, but the power cable being partially chewed makes me feel that this is not the case. Luckily, I kept my Audiolab 8000M monobloc amps and can swap back to them, but it pains me to see these beautiful valve amps non working! The amps are out of warranty, and it would be a p.i.t.a to ship them down to Greg Osbourne - if there is anyone in Brisbane metro who is capable of checking it out (I am obviously prepared to pay for your time and service at the going rates), that would be awesome. I had a crappy 2013, and 2014 started off well, but is going South real fast... Any advice or recommenations, or offers of help are appreciated. Dave
Jventer Posted March 6, 2014 Posted March 6, 2014 Sorry to hear, I had an accident and broke a valve and managed to fix that myself. There is a member on the forum that had some and did some upgrades I will see if I can find his details. Otherwise, what if you email/phone Greg, he may be able to refer to someone. Alternatively - try to find someone that knows guitar amps, many of them work with valves.
valvelover Posted March 6, 2014 Author Posted March 6, 2014 yeah, I really wanna avoid having to ship back to Canberra if I can...the units are out of warranty too...I was too tired last night to do anymore troubleshooting, although I think fuse and valve swapping will be totally moot. My guess is that a rodent has gotten and chewed some wiring internally in the amp. It's probably an easy fix, but I cannot solder to save my life. I reckon if I check the unit, the problem will probably be quite obvious. The big question is if any further damage has been done to the amp, since it employs no real circuit protection and if the 845 valve blue, then it could be nasty. I'm wondering if the ec88c died and isn't feeding the 845 (I think that's how the circuitry on this amp works). I guess it might be worthwhile swapping the valves over...whatever happened, it died whilst the unit was turned off. That's why I don't think it's valve or fuse related... As to the rodents - I have pet rats myself, and I'm loathe to put any traps down in case my girls accidentally get onto the floor. Furthermore, mouse traps and poison bates are inhumane and cruel. I've been too lazy to buy humane traps...
valvelover Posted March 6, 2014 Author Posted March 6, 2014 Found a local gentleman who seems to be OK from what I can see... http://www.whiteshifi.com.au/ might give him a tingle if I still have issues...
LFD Posted March 6, 2014 Posted March 6, 2014 Of course since its identical to the other amp at least you have a reference point if you dare to open it up
valvelover Posted March 6, 2014 Author Posted March 6, 2014 That is very true, but my electronics skills are not l33t...they are akin to a microbe performing brain surgery!
valvelover Posted March 6, 2014 Author Posted March 6, 2014 alright - just got home from work, swapped the 845/e88cc from the Right channel to the non working left channel and voila! All 3 tubes lit up. So, I swapped out the 845 and put the original 845 back in, nada (but the 5687 and e88cc both lit up). Swapped the original e88cc from the Left channel to the right channel (with the Right channel's original 845 back in that amp) and it also lit up. So, I think that proves that it's the Left channel's 845 that has went South... Now - do I really need to get a matched pair of 845 valves and swap them in (removing the still working 845 for the Right channel)? Hell, I don't think I can even buy these single, but only in pairs...and no one local in Brissie stocks them I'm pretty damn sure...*sigh* and they're expensive... oh well, on the bright side, it looks like the amp is OK!!!! Dave
Sir Triode Posted March 6, 2014 Posted March 6, 2014 I'm pretty sure David at Caxton Street Audio would have some.
Jventer Posted March 6, 2014 Posted March 6, 2014 (edited) Dave There are really good valve people not far from you: evatco I bought from them before. They came highly recommended and was an absolute pleasure to deal with. Johannes Edited March 6, 2014 by Jventer
valvelover Posted March 6, 2014 Author Posted March 6, 2014 evatco is at Rosewood, just checked their site and they do not carry 845 valves...I spoke with them around 2 years ago about 845 valves and they told me that they did not stock them cos of price and not particularly commonly wanted by consumers...
valvelover Posted March 6, 2014 Author Posted March 6, 2014 (edited) I'm pretty sure David at Caxton Street Audio would have some. mmm that's worth a try. I have a day off tomorrow too! edit - I even know how to get there by car (I've only just started driving around Brissie the past Six or so weeks...) Edited March 6, 2014 by valvelover
Jventer Posted March 6, 2014 Posted March 6, 2014 Now - I would have no idea if you would need a matched pair. Although I normally like having that. I contacted evatco and they had something similar in stock - was very happy. Good luck
Jventer Posted March 6, 2014 Posted March 6, 2014 evatco is at Rosewood, just checked their site and they do not carry 845 valves...I spoke with them around 2 years ago about 845 valves and they told me that they did not stock them cos of price and not particularly commonly wanted by consumers... Bugger
Sir Triode Posted March 6, 2014 Posted March 6, 2014 (edited) mmm that's worth a try. I have a day off tomorrow too! edit - I even know how to get there by car (I've only just started driving around Brissie the past Six or so weeks...) Where do you live in Brissie? You might want to give Dave a call before you head out to check if he has stock first. Edited March 6, 2014 by Sir Triode
Jventer Posted March 6, 2014 Posted March 6, 2014 Good news that it looks like the amp is OK. evatco does not have it - sorry. I have searched all my emails etc. Greg has recommended The Tube Store - but they are in the US. Why don't you post a WTB post for 845 valve - that way a member may be able to help?
valvelover Posted March 6, 2014 Author Posted March 6, 2014 Where do you live in Brissie? You might want to give Dave a call before you head out to check if he has stock first. yeah, about to do that right now!
valvelover Posted March 6, 2014 Author Posted March 6, 2014 Good news that it looks like the amp is OK. evatco does not have it - sorry. I have searched all my emails etc. Greg has recommended The Tube Store - but they are in the US. Why don't you post a WTB post for 845 valve - that way a member may be able to help? I doubt any will have spares, they're not a highly used valve... I'm surprised Greg doesn't have any in stock, he used to...that'd be disappointing if he didn't have any in stock
Jventer Posted March 6, 2014 Posted March 6, 2014 I doubt any will have spares, they're not a highly used valve... I'm surprised Greg doesn't have any in stock, he used to...that'd be disappointing if he didn't have any in stock I did not ask him re 845's I needed a smaller one and he actually had stock.
valvelover Posted March 7, 2014 Author Posted March 7, 2014 I'm pretty sure David at Caxton Street Audio would have some. well, Caxton Audio doesn't have any...he wasn't very friendly either.
Guest guru Posted March 7, 2014 Posted March 7, 2014 I have 845's in stock but unfortunately they are not the $99 each variety. Good luck with the supply.
valvelover Posted March 7, 2014 Author Posted March 7, 2014 I have 845's in stock but unfortunately they are not the $99 each variety. Good luck with the supply. what ones do you have and what sort of pricing? I'd be only after a single 845
Bronal Posted March 7, 2014 Posted March 7, 2014 I have a spare pair of Shuguang 845Bs that you can have. They came in an amp I bought last year and are said to have about 500 hours on them, but I can't confirm that. PM me if they are any use to you.
Steever Posted March 10, 2014 Posted March 10, 2014 well, Caxton Audio doesn't have any...he wasn't very friendly either. That's no surprise. Many a post has been written about the attitude of the guy at Caxton when people approach him about having their valve amp issues resolved by him. Even if it means a small sale (some new valves) for the shop, unless you bought your gear from there, forget it. Good luck with finding what you need alsewhere though. 1
valvelover Posted March 10, 2014 Author Posted March 10, 2014 That's no surprise. Many a post has been written about the attitude of the guy at Caxton when people approach him about having their valve amp issues resolved by him. Even if it means a small sale (some new valves) for the shop, unless you bought your gear from there, forget it. Good luck with finding what you need alsewhere though. I was unaware of that. When I rang through, he picked up the phone laughing (he was obviously speaking to someone else prior to picking up my call), I said hello and introduced myself and got a scathing "I'm busy" in a hurry up tone that wasn't helpful at all, before I even told him my query. It sounded like he was having a party to be honest, and that I'd dare ruin his party by calling his business number. Needless to say, I won't be buying anything from him in the foreseeable future. And people wonder why local business is failing...I'll give them a tip: overseas customer service is generally far superior in every way from my vast experiences. overseas customer service doesn't talk to you with disdain or disinterest. It's eager to help you [the customer]. Don't even get me started on pricing...I made my thoughts very clear in the now defunct and removed distributor thread that the owner of SNA removed as it was seemingly harming his business advertising...I'm always wary of forums that limit freedom of speech in preference to business deals... Dave
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