More D'Yquem Problems

**puroagave** · August 24, 2014, 01:32 AM

Originally Posted by Garth

I had a lot of problems over the years the whole nine yards of break downs . I found a solution solid state. If you buy good solid state it sounds great and switching it on never feels like Russian Roulette with your wallet always the loser. Tubes sound great when they work. Some people have little to no problems then their is you and me.

thats why i keep an NAD integrated in the closet. it has pre-out/main-in so i can trouble shoot my tube gear or in pinch have something to listen to during repairs. iv'e learned how to repair most things that go wrong (burnt cathode resistors, for one). sometimes it feels like roulette but its worth it.

**Jerome W** · August 24, 2014, 02:35 AM

I understand easily people who do not want to mess with tubes.
There are many SS amps that sound great.
And all tube amps have reliability issues based mostly on the tubes themselves, no matter the size of the company. Mc, ARC, CJ, Manley, Jadis, Shindo... All have their share of frustrated customers.
But still, many companies continue to produce tube amps and preamps, and many customers continue to buy them.
Is this only because of Marketing ?
No.
For a minority of music lovers, there is just no other solution than a correctly designed tube amp to get to the ultimate bliss in sound reproduction. They are ready to accept to have dying pieces in their gear just for the sake of sound quality.
Exactly like we are ready to accept all the efforts to play a vinyl instead of a digital file because vinyl just sounds better.
I have 3 systems at home.
They all use tube amps.
The only exception to this rule is when I am working at my office near the main system. I put the SS amp on ( 2205) and also for HT.
I have had many other SS amps at home and to my ears, even the best ones do not compete with great tube amps. My ears are just made for the tube sound. I am not saying that tube amps are better than SS amp. That is just a personal preference.
We have lost the sense of Efforts in our fast societies.
We are not willing to wait : at the restaurant, the airport...
We always want More and we want it Now.
I love the sense if efforts and the time needed to enjoy tube based hifi and vinyl.
They give us again the sense of efforts and introduce a ceremony part in our action.

Envoyé de mon iPhone à l'aide de Tapatalk

**Garth** · August 24, 2014, 10:06 AM

Originally Posted by mep

I have been a dyed in the wool tube lover my entire life. I went through a bad spell with my tube gear being a gigantic pain in my ass and I got mad and sold it and went SS for awhile. I had a Krell KRC-HR preamp (kick-ass by the way) and Krell KSA-250 amp. I lived with it happily for a couple of years and it was truly a joy to know that I could always expect my gear to work. And then I reviewed a pair of Raven monoblock tube amps and a Raven preamp and I remembered why I loved tubes so much in the first place. I sold all of my Krell gear (except for my KPE Ref phono stage with outboard power supply-PM if you want to buy it) and bought an ARC Ref 5SE and ARC Ref 75 and I couldn't be happier with my decision. These are the two ARC pieces I heard in Carl's room at RMAF 2012 with his Nola speakers that I fell in love with. I bought the Nola KOs last March and I think I will see them before RMAF 2014.

The great thing about the Ref 75 is that it only uses a pair of KT-120 tubes per channel. It's so much easier to maintain a tube amp that uses a single pair of tubes per channel. Buying a pair of output tubes that are tightly matched is way easier than buying a quartet or octet of output tubes that will come close to the match you can get with a single pair. And none of that would matter if the Ref 75 didn't sound great, but it does. From what I have heard, the Ref 75 sounds even better if you use KT-150s. Based on my experience with the Raven amps, I don't doubt it.

You make many good points and you are right tubes can sound great.

I also was in Carl's room and it was great sounding I thought one of or the best at the show. Carl had like a 100,000 dollars worth of wire in that room more than most of us will ever have so that was part of the sound.

A few years ago I switched from CJ to Ayre and a Burmester phono I do not miss tubes maybe that will change but I do not think so.

I do disagree with one post that SS guys just can not wait for repairs and are well lazy . Well maybe a little lazy but the never knowing if the gear will work when I turn it on just bothered me I leave the ayre on 24/7.

I in no way look down on tube gear but the heat and odd things that they can do when not sounding right take another level of your time I do not want to be my own tech.

I like some ss amps others I would not own and if all is done fairly I think two side by side ss and tube the tube would pull ahead but not by much peace

**Petro85** · August 24, 2014, 10:49 AM

Originally Posted by Jerome W

I understand easily people who do not want to mess with tubes.
There are many SS amps that sound great.
And all tube amps have reliability issues based mostly on the tubes themselves, no matter the size of the company. Mc, ARC, CJ, Manley, Jadis, Shindo... All have their share of frustrated customers.
But still, many companies continue to produce tube amps and preamps, and many customers continue to buy them.
Is this only because of Marketing ?
No.
For a minority of music lovers, there is just no other solution than a correctly designed tube amp to get to the ultimate bliss in sound reproduction. They are ready to accept to have dying pieces in their gear just for the sake of sound quality.
Exactly like we are ready to accept all the efforts to play a vinyl instead of a digital file because vinyl just sounds better.
I have 3 systems at home.
They all use tube amps.
The only exception to this rule is when I am working at my office near the main system. I put the SS amp on ( 2205) and also for HT.
I have had many other SS amps at home and to my ears, even the best ones do not compete with great tube amps. My ears are just made for the tube sound. I am not saying that tube amps are better than SS amp. That is just a personal preference.
We have lost the sense of Efforts in our fast societies.
We are not willing to wait : at the restaurant, the airport...
We always want More and we want it Now.
I love the sense if efforts and the time needed to enjoy tube based hifi and vinyl.
They give us again the sense of efforts and introduce a ceremony part in our action.

Envoyé de mon iPhone à l'aide de Tapatalk

i agree Jerome!! some guys like tubes , some guys like solid state. i like tubes and the only ss amp i ever really liked and could live with cost more than my whole system. just my opinion and it is definitely a biased(pun intended) opinion as ive home demoed a few ss amps but ive never owned one. ive been looking for a moderately priced ss amp to play with in my house. but havent found one that i would actually use.
i recently heard a very popular and talk about and very expensive ss amp , and i just couldnt believe i preferred the $2500 used tube amps i heard right next to it better.lol. its just gotta be my ears, cause i cant believe anyone buys these things. lol.
tubes rule!!!
to JJ the op, sorry this thread got off topic, please let us know how you sorted out your troubles.
tubes rule!!!

**Kt77** · August 24, 2014, 11:48 AM

Tubes Rule Indeed!.

But then as a backup, Solid State has its merits in a logical sense.

**Jerome W** · August 24, 2014, 01:27 PM

Originally Posted by Kt77

Tubes Rule Indeed!.

But then as a backup, Solid State has its merits in a logical sense.

My backup amps and preamps are also tubed !

Envoyé de mon iPhone à l'aide de Tapatalk

**Jerome W** · August 24, 2014, 01:31 PM

JJ, since you love so much the D'Yquem sound,
Imho you should do this.
Return them to your dealer for a full check up. Have the dealer change the GL300B's for JJ ones and adjust the bias. Then get them back and see how it goes. If same problem happens again then go to GM70.
Please remember : Ken Shindo was first a super specialist of 300B amps.
D'Yquem is one of the greatest wine in the world.
You may be seated on a pure jewel.
Please give them an other chance.

Envoyé de mon iPhone à l'aide de Tapatalk

**Garth** · August 24, 2014, 01:32 PM

If you can not remember having problems with your tube gear I am sorry to tell you, you have Alzheimers

**Kt77** · August 24, 2014, 03:19 PM

Originally Posted by Jerome W

My backup amps and preamps are also tubed !

Envoyé de mon iPhone à l'aide de Tapatalk

Well Jerome,

It proves you've had better luck then some of us, and that's a good thing, no!.

**KenSea** · August 24, 2014, 03:31 PM

I for one had had very good luck with tube gear through the many years, I have also had some bad trans stuff too.

Originally Posted by Garth

If you can not remember having problems with your tube gear I am sorry to tell you, you have Alzheimers

**Jerome W** · August 24, 2014, 04:11 PM

Originally Posted by Garth

If you can not remember having problems with your tube gear I am sorry to tell you, you have Alzheimers

Excellent One ! :lmao:

Envoyé de mon iPhone à l'aide de Tapatalk

**kev313** · August 24, 2014, 04:20 PM

I've had tons of problems with tubes. Pieces from Wright sound, welborne, audio research, Jolida, Cary, air tight, sophia, and Allnic have had to go back for repair. My Allnic integrated was my most problematic. Blown tubes, blown caps, knobs that fell off due to general low build quality. As far as I can remember, I have not had to send in Shindo for repair. My Sinhonias a while back needed some freshening up when I sold them.

Best of luck with the D'YQ. Those are gorgeous and worth your effort. My GM 70 have been cruising without a hiccup for 2 years, but I'd love to hear those parallel 300b.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**Garth** · August 24, 2014, 05:53 PM

Originally Posted by Jerome W

Excellent One ! :lmao:

Envoyé de mon iPhone à l'aide de Tapatalk

it is always fun to wind the tube guys up a bit. And yes it can sound great when it is not burning the house down. Best song on tube gear Heat Wave.

**kev313** · August 24, 2014, 05:54 PM

Beats "Mr. Sandman"

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**Mike** · August 24, 2014, 07:02 PM

Originally Posted by kev313

I've had tons of problems with tubes. Pieces from Wright sound, welborne, audio research, Jolida, Cary, air tight, sophia, and Allnic have had to go back for repair. My Allnic integrated was my most problematic. Blown tubes, blown caps, knobs that fell off due to general low build quality. As far as I can remember, I have not had to send in Shindo for repair. My Sinhonias a while back needed some freshening up when I sold them.

Best of luck with the D'YQ. Those are gorgeous and worth your effort. My GM 70 have been cruising without a hiccup for 2 years, but I'd love to hear those parallel 300b.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

What Allnic integrated was that?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**kev313** · August 24, 2014, 07:34 PM

T1500. The 300b integrated. I basically got fed up with it after the third or fourth problem and sold as is / for parts for less than $1,000 to a local audio scavenger. Felt good to get rid of it.

Lest anyone think this report is anything less than my actual feelings after actual ownership, here is a picture of my youngest as a wee sprout rocking to the Allnic on my Musical Affairs speakers.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**Mike** · August 24, 2014, 07:53 PM

When it did work. Did you like it? Gorgeous view by the way. Where do you live?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**NOLG4EVR** · August 24, 2014, 08:07 PM

Just a quick update on the D'Yquem status.

Last night a friend whom I met on the other site came over to help me troubleshoot the amp problem.

He brought his tube tester, some spare tubes and fuses.

First we tested the GL300b's. Both tested like new, no problems. This did not surprise me as the issue originally was not like my previous issues where I actually saw the 300b glow bright red before it failed. This issue was after 30-40 seconds the amp just completely shut down, no power at all.

Although we highly doubted there was an issue with the 6AW8A tubes we tested them anyway. Both tested good.

We then opened the amp to check the fuse. The fuse looked fine and it also tested good.

Inside the D'Yquem there are two 6AL3 tubes soldered to some internal wiring. We decided to test these as well. It was a little tricky to remove them from their sockets and insert them in the tube tester without damaging the solder points as the wires are quite short. First tube tested good and the second one was completely dead.

Is this the problem solved? Don't know yet until tomorrow night when we will replace the bad GE 6AL3 tube and re-solder it back to the wiring.

Keeping my fingers crossed this will cure the problem and hoping it was just a bad GE tube and not something more serious that caused the tube to fail.

This is as far as I am willing to go on my own, anything more complicated and the amp will get shipped away for repair.

**kev313** · August 24, 2014, 08:09 PM

Originally Posted by NOLG4EVR

Just a quick update on the D'Yquem status.

Last night a friend whom I met on the other site came over to help me troubleshoot the amp problem.

He brought his tube tester, some spare tubes and fuses.

First we tested the GL300b's. Both tested like new, no problems. This did not surprise me as the issue originally was not like my previous issues where I actually saw the 300b glow bright red before it failed. This issue was after 30-40 seconds the amp just completely shut down, no power at all.

Although we highly doubted there was an issue with the 6AW8A tubes we tested them anyway. Both tested good.

We then opened the amp to check the fuse. The fuse looked fine and it also tested good.

Inside the D'Yquem there are two 6AL3 tubes soldered to some internal wiring. We decided to test these as well. It was a little tricky to remove them from their sockets and insert them in the tube tester without damaging the solder points as the wires are quite short. First tube tested good and the second one was completely dead.

Is this the problem solved? Don't know yet until tomorrow night when we will replace the bad GE 6AL3 tube and re-solder it back to the wiring.

Keeping my fingers crossed this will cure the problem and hoping it was just a bad GE tube and not something more serious that caused the tube to fail.

This is as far as I am willing to go on my own, anything more complicated and the amp will get shipped away for repair.

Good luck and good work! I hope that fixes your issues.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**NOLG4EVR** · August 24, 2014, 08:12 PM

Originally Posted by kev313

Good luck and good work! I hope that fixes your issues.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks Kev.

**kev313** · August 24, 2014, 08:13 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

When it did work. Did you like it? Gorgeous view by the way. Where do you live?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It was ok. Not quite as refined as other 300b I've had, but not too shabby. A bit higher powered, a tad less magic. Not totally unlike my wright 2a3, but my memory is unreliable with such comparisons, I suppose.

Given the lack of growth, that looks to be a winter view or late fall through my front window. I live on the north side of Chicago.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**Mike** · August 24, 2014, 08:41 PM

Originally Posted by kev313

It was ok. Not quite as refined as other 300b I've had, but not too shabby. A bit higher powered, a tad less magic. Not totally unlike my wright 2a3, but my memory is unreliable with such comparisons, I suppose.

Given the lack of growth, that looks to be a winter view or late fall through my front window. I live on the north side of Chicago.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**Garth** · August 24, 2014, 09:31 PM

Originally Posted by NOLG4EVR

Just a quick update on the D'Yquem status.

Last night a friend whom I met on the other site came over to help me troubleshoot the amp problem.

He brought his tube tester, some spare tubes and fuses.

First we tested the GL300b's. Both tested like new, no problems. This did not surprise me as the issue originally was not like my previous issues where I actually saw the 300b glow bright red before it failed. This issue was after 30-40 seconds the amp just completely shut down, no power at all.

Although we highly doubted there was an issue with the 6AW8A tubes we tested them anyway. Both tested good.

We then opened the amp to check the fuse. The fuse looked fine and it also tested good.

Inside the D'Yquem there are two 6AL3 tubes soldered to some internal wiring. We decided to test these as well. It was a little tricky to remove them from their sockets and insert them in the tube tester without damaging the solder points as the wires are quite short. First tube tested good and the second one was completely dead.

Is this the problem solved? Don't know yet until tomorrow night when we will replace the bad GE 6AL3 tube and re-solder it back to the wiring.

Keeping my fingers crossed this will cure the problem and hoping it was just a bad GE tube and not something more serious that caused the tube to fail.

This is as far as I am willing to go on my own, anything more complicated and the amp will get shipped away for repair.

Most of us have had repair problems of one kind or another and it is a pain I hope the tube is the problem. I reread my posts I am not making light of your problem and I do hope you have it solved.

Good luck

**KeithR** · August 24, 2014, 09:45 PM

If I had this issue, they would have just gone back. Period.

**KeithR** · August 24, 2014, 09:46 PM

Originally Posted by mep

Any amp that was this unreliable I would have dumped faster than a used prophylactic. This is supposed to be about a hobby that is fun and relaxing and not one where you sweat bullets every time you power your amp on. You have either had an incredible run of bad tubes or it's simply a defective design or a defective unit. You have already come to that conclusion and I agree with you.

You mean like your Krell where you wrote several threads on having the buzzing transformer fixed? You complained about that amp for 2 years dude.

**puroagave** · August 24, 2014, 10:29 PM

Originally Posted by KeithR

You mean like your Krell where you wrote several threads on having the buzzing transformer fixed? You complained about that amp for 2 years dude.

2 years? it felt like five! give the man his due

in all seriousness i owned a pair of those beasts the xfrm alone was like 90 lbs, the amp was 140 lbs dry. mine buzzed a little and i had two strapped in mono (MDA-500). if his was worse than i remember mine were, it would annoy the hell out of anyone.

**NOLG4EVR** · August 24, 2014, 10:38 PM

Originally Posted by KeithR

If I had this issue, they would have just gone back. Period.

As upset as I have been about this truth is tubes do fail. I felt that because the sound quality is absolutely superb when they are working it was worth a couple of hours of troubleshooting before I gave up on them. I will see tomorrow if my repair attempt is successful. I also collect vintage cars, they can also be a pain. But when running perfect they are sweet.

**Jerome W** · August 25, 2014, 01:19 AM

JJ : Great News !
I 'm happy your friend was able to help. Those tubes cannot be changed by someone not qualified.

Envoyé de mon iPhone à l'aide de Tapatalk

**Cucumber_jones** · August 26, 2014, 11:21 PM

So were are you at with this? Are they working now? Was it a failed tube after all?

**NOLG4EVR** · August 26, 2014, 11:26 PM

Got back to repairing the D'Yquem last night. Replaced the 6AL3 tube and re-soldered it back to the internal wire.

We then re-biased the 300b tubes and buttoned up the bottom of the amp.

The fuse in the power cord socket had blown so we replaced that as well.

Powered up the amp and seems to be fine.

Many thanks to my friend Rene. Without his help and tools I would not be listening to these wonderful sounding amps as I type.

It required several hours of work and days of frustration but back in business again. For now.

**kev313** · August 26, 2014, 11:37 PM

Rene! One of the good guys, for sure. Good stuff.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**NOLG4EVR** · August 27, 2014, 12:12 AM

Originally Posted by kev313

Rene! One of the good guys, for sure. Good stuff.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Absolutely. This experience inspired me to go out today and buy a Fluke multimeter and order spare tubes to have a backup kit. Bought a bunch of fuses as well.

Also going to look around for a good restored tube tester.

Tubes do fail and in future I want to be prepared so down time is minimal.

That said, when tube amps work they are magical, especially Shindo.

Definitely back in business tonight.

**Jerome W** · August 27, 2014, 12:57 AM

Originally Posted by kev313

Rene! One of the good guys, for sure. Good stuff.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

+1 !

All tube amps owners would need a René next to their home ! Awesome !

Envoyé de mon iPad à l'aide de Tapatalk

**Cucumber_jones** · August 27, 2014, 12:58 AM

Well it looks like it is just a faulty tube. Ken built some damn nice amps when he created the D'yquem and I hope to some day own a pair. I have had many glasses of D'yquem form the 60's and I bet the amps are as tasty as the wine.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

**NOLG4EVR** · August 27, 2014, 01:24 AM

Originally Posted by Cucumber_jones

Well it looks like it is just a faulty tube. Ken built some damn nice amps when he created the D'yquem and I hope to some day own a pair. I have had many glasses of D'yquem form the 60's and I bet the amps are as tasty as the wine.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

The wine is among the best white wines produced. As are the D'Yquem amp's.

Yes, maintenance is required. But like all good things it is worth the effort.

After re-biasing they are better than ever!

**Paul** · August 27, 2014, 12:11 PM

JJ , so glad to hear that.

**mep** · August 27, 2014, 03:52 PM

Originally Posted by KeithR

You mean like your Krell where you wrote several threads on having the buzzing transformer fixed? You complained about that amp for 2 years dude.

First of all, I want to say to the OP that I'm glad his problem has been corrected and he's happy again. To Keith, I want to say that you are more than slightly exaggerating what really happened vis-à-vis my Krell KSA-250. I bought the KSA-250 in 2011 and it was built in the 1980s. The amp was sold to me as working and was DOA upon arrival. I sent the amp back to Krell to be repaired and recapped. And as Rob said, packing and shipping an amp that weighs 140 lbs before it's in the crate is no joy. When your listening room is downstairs and you have to carry the amp up a flight of stairs, load it into your car, drive it to Indy and drop it off at a freight hauler (4 hour round trip) and then drive back to Indy to get the amp and reverse the original process to get it back into your room only to discover the amp still has issue is a real pisser. The amp came back to me 'working,' but it had a hum issue. Krell paid to have a truck come to my house and pick the amp up and Krell paid for the shipping both ways which included a truck delivering the amp to my house.

I kept the KSA-250 until 2014 when I sold it because I bought the ARC Ref 75. I had literally years of listening to my KSA-250 and after the last time it came back to me, I never gave it a thought when I hit the power switch and turned it on. I still think it's a fantastic sounding amp and it would still put many an amp to shame.

Back to the Shindo amps under discussion: I'm surprised that these amps have a pair of tubes 'under the hood' and that those tubes are hardwired and soldered instead of being in sockets if I read the problem correctly. Shindo must have planned on those tubes lasting forever because they created an issue by doing it that way.

**Jerome W** · September 4, 2014, 01:56 AM

Funny...
This morning one of my CCQs started to make some pop noises.
Power tubes and input ones test strong. Only option is one of those damn 6AL3 !
I'm not competent to replace those so the amp will go to my tech. And I will have the other ones checked too.
Wish I could have a René nearby !

Envoyé de mon iPhone à l'aide de Tapatalk

**AVjim** · September 4, 2014, 02:53 AM

Originally Posted by KeithR

You mean like your Krell where you wrote several threads on having the buzzing transformer fixed? You complained about that amp for 2 years dude.

Luckily I haven't had to deal with issues , but if my shindo caught on fire and burnt the house down ... It would still he sitting in my new house ..some stuff is just worth the hassle

**Jerome W** · September 4, 2014, 03:00 AM

Originally Posted by AVjim

Luckily I haven't had to deal with issues , but if my shindo caught on fire and burnt the house down ... It would still he sitting in my new house ..some stuff is just worth the hassle

I love my Shindo amps but not at this level !

Envoyé de mon iPhone à l'aide de Tapatalk

Thread: More D'Yquem Problems

Re: More D'Yquem Problems

Re: More D'Yquem Problems

Re: More D'Yquem Problems

Re: More D'Yquem Problems

Re: More D'Yquem Problems

Re: More D'Yquem Problems

Re: More D'Yquem Problems

Re: More D'Yquem Problems

Re: More D'Yquem Problems

Re: More D'Yquem Problems

Re: More D'Yquem Problems

Re: More D'Yquem Problems

Re: More D'Yquem Problems

Re: More D'Yquem Problems

Re: More D'Yquem Problems

Re: More D'Yquem Problems

Re: More D'Yquem Problems

Re: More D'Yquem Problems

Re: More D'Yquem Problems

Re: More D'Yquem Problems

Re: More D'Yquem Problems

Re: More D'Yquem Problems

Re: More D'Yquem Problems

Re: More D'Yquem Problems

Re: More D'Yquem Problems

Re: More D'Yquem Problems

Re: More D'Yquem Problems

Re: More D'Yquem Problems

Re: More D'Yquem Problems

Re: More D'Yquem Problems

Re: More D'Yquem Problems

Re: More D'Yquem Problems

Re: More D'Yquem Problems

Re: More D'Yquem Problems

Re: More D'Yquem Problems

Re: More D'Yquem Problems

Re: More D'Yquem Problems

Re: More D'Yquem Problems

Re: More D'Yquem Problems

Posting Permissions