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Can you guys tell me if rectifier tubes make noise? Specifically an EZ81 tube. I built a simple stereo tube preamp and am having a noise issue. The noise is coming directly from the EZ81 and is not present in the music. I found a video on YT that sounds just like what I'm hearing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uOx8JXSXWc

The first time I ran into the problem I found that turning the preamp OFF and waiting a little while before turning it back ON would solve the problem until it would return a few days later. The next thing I tried was going over my work and reflowing solder joints to make sure my connections were all good. That kept things quiet for about a week when the noise returned yet again. I then purchased a new JJ EZ81 and it worked great for 2 weeks before it too started making the noise. Instead of turning the thing OFF though I tried flicking the tube with my finger and surprisingly that fixed it. That's been a few days ago and the noise has yet to return. Any thoughts and/or recommendations?

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"It’s your soldering."

Are you sure that your rectifier socket is making good contact on all the pins?

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“My favorite programming language is SOLDER” - Bob Pease (RIP)

My Website * My Musical Gear * My DIY Pedals: Pg.1 - Pg.2

Check the tube when you turn the power switch on. I just had a bad JJ EZ81 in a Mojo TMB 18 watter build. Never made very much noise like you are describing, but the tube did arc a little as soon the power hit it, everytime I turned the amp on (and then it would settled down). Changed it because I didn't want any trouble later. Maybe a batch of bad EZ81s. Usually the JJ's are pretty good. I'm pretty happy with them. If I flick a tube and fix it, it has usually been the tube, but duhvoodooman had a good idea to check the socket pins etc. New builds are are always a little more interesting.

The tube sockets used are the 9-pin Belton Micalex types that I get from Parts-Express. I've used them for a while now and have never had any issues with them.

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"It’s your soldering."

I've suffered through a lot of rectifier tube buzz. Most of them bring JJs in combo guitar amps. I have a few old/good rectifiers that I keep around just for reference to test new parts when an issue comes up. I find a lot of rattling JJ GZ34s. I don't build with EZ81s so I don't have experience with them though. Used/old EZ81's are still fairly affordable. I would get at least one to see if it doesn't rattle.

https://www.thetubestore.com/rft-ez81-6ca4

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MasterDelayer/Reverbrador/Ampaholic/TopJacker

Thanks for everyone's input. I've got a couple of different tubes to try on the way.

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"It’s your soldering."

So far the NOS Amperex EZ81 I got has yet to make any noise. I'll give it another week or so to be sure.

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"It’s your soldering."

I've noticed new rectifier tubes tend to rattle quite a bit. If you're playing loud enough, it drowns it out. But at low bedroom levels, it's pretty annoying when you hit the lower notes.

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*patience is a virtue*

Please do not PM me. email is prefered. keith@buildyourownclone.com