My preamp or poweramp is making a noise -- bad tube?

[Spaced Out Ace]

I'm not sure what the issue is or what is causing it. I run two Synergy Syn-2 preamps, some OS modules, and a Fryette Power Station PS-2A into one of my two cabs.

I noticed a noise while tuning up my guitar prior to playing. I'm terrible at describing the sound, but I hear it through the speakers. Sort of a "pffffp" sound would the best I can describe it.

Is it a bad tube or something?

Edit:

 

[budda]

First things first: test all cables.

 

[technomancer]

Eliminate cables first, as that could be a lot of things, but if it starts doing it more it is likely a power tube starting to go. The EL34s in my JJ started doing that when they were beginning to go. It still worked fine but started to progressively make those popping noises.

 

[Spaced Out Ace]

Eliminate cables first, as that could be a lot of things, but if it starts doing it more it is likely a power tube starting to go. The EL34s in my JJ started doing that when they were beginning to go. It still worked fine but started to progressively make those popping noises.

Should I just unhook everything but the Fryette Power Station PS-2A, speaker cable, and 412?

 

[technomancer]

If you do that and it still makes that popping noise that would confirm it's the tubes in the PS2.

 

[Spaced Out Ace]

If you do that and it still makes that popping noise that would confirm it's the tubes in the PS2.

I'll try that tomorrow when I get a chance.

 

[Spaced Out Ace]

This is kind of what it sounded like, but not as frequent. If limiting to just the Power Station PS-2A and cab, I'll order some new 6L6 tubes. What's a good brand of 6L6 tubes these days?

 

[technomancer]

Not that up on current 6L6s unfortunately

 

[Spaced Out Ace]

I'm thinking JJs, but I'm open to options. I'm also not sure what are in the Power Station PS-2A currently.

 

[Spaced Out Ace]

It seems to do this with just the Power Station PS-2A, cable, and 412 cabinet. I'm going to replace the power tubes and the preamp tube in the Power Station, then go from there.

 

[Marked Man]

I'm thinking JJs, but I'm open to options. I'm also not sure what are in the Power Station PS-2A currently.

JJs are very good. I used to insist on Mesa tubes (for my Mesas), but they've become stupid expensive in recent years (at least where a full set for my 2:90 is concerned, and also tough to find ) and JJs still bring home the bacon. There are a lot of tube cork sniffer/wine snobs out there who dive very deep into them, but I have too many to maintain to get into that....

Svetlanas are also great, but have become spendy.

 

[Spaced Out Ace]

JJs are very good. I used to insist on Mesa tubes (for my Mesas), but they've become stupid expensive in recent years (at least where a full set for my 2:90 is concerned, and also tough to find ) and JJs still bring home the bacon. There are a lot of tube cork sniffer/wine snobs out there who dive very deep into them, but I have too many to maintain to get into that....

Svetlanas are also great, but have become spendy.

So basically JJs are the working man, blue collar "it gets the job done and well" option?

 

[Marked Man]

So basically JJs are the working man, blue collar "it gets the job done and well" option?

Tube snobs seem to sniff at them, so I guess so.....

But when I crank my amps with JJs, no one knows the difference.

 

[Spaced Out Ace]

Tube snobs seem to sniff at them, so I guess so.....

But when I crank my amps with JJs, no one knows the difference.

Fair lol. I'm kind of wondering though why, as it seems to me, that the tubes are starting to develop noises after only using them a few months. It wasn't even frequently, either.

 

[Shask]

I have always liked JJ power tubes. Those and Ruby, but the Ruby's are probably just re-labeled JJs, lol.