[crazymoose]

I've got a Traynor YCV 50 Blue. I've had it for about two years now, although I've played very little in the last year. Now that I'm finally done school for the summer, I've picked up playing guitar again, but I've noticed that there's this crackling sound that seems to be random, though only noticeable when I'm not playing or I'm playing very quietly. At first I thought it was either the tubes going or maybe a grounding issue with my guitar, but it continues to happen even with all volume knobs turned completely down (like the volume knob on my guitar, my volume pedal, and all volume knobs on the amp). As far as what it sounds like, it's very similar to the sort of sound you hear when you're talking on the phone with someone and the wind is blowing into their phone. Any help?

[Ax]

Originally Posted by crazymoose

I've got a Traynor YCV 50 Blue. I've had it for about two years now, although I've played very little in the last year. Now that I'm finally done school for the summer, I've picked up playing guitar again, but I've noticed that there's this crackling sound that seems to be random, though only noticeable when I'm not playing or I'm playing very quietly. At first I thought it was either the tubes going or maybe a grounding issue with my guitar, but it continues to happen even with all volume knobs turned completely down (like the volume knob on my guitar, my volume pedal, and all volume knobs on the amp). As far as what it sounds like, it's very similar to the sort of sound you hear when you're talking on the phone with someone and the wind is blowing into their phone. Any help?

reseat the tubes a couple times, they may have oxidation on the pins. Also make sure all your wires are connected securely on all your input jacks, and to your speakers. Barring that it sounds like a cold solder joint somewhere or a bad speaker.

[Stratopastor]

If it's making that noise with the master volume down then you probably only have to investigate the phase inverter and the power tubes, so that's v3,4 and 5. And maybe the internal power supply. Mostly likely the oxidation Ax speaks of, on V3, v4 or v5.

[crazymoose]

Originally Posted by Ax

reseat the tubes a couple times, they may have oxidation on the pins. Also make sure all your wires are connected securely on all your input jacks, and to your speakers. Barring that it sounds like a cold solder joint somewhere or a bad speaker.

Thanks, I'll try that. Does the fact that the crackling still occurs when the master volume is completely turned down indicate anything? I know that probably depends on how the amp is wired, so if it helps anyone, here's a link to a bunch of schematics for the amp. (Link) A couple items down, there's a simplified circuit diagram. I understand if no one feels like poring over circuit diagrams for me, though.

[Teletubby]

Hi,
Just to let you know the symptoms you describe are exactly what my amp was doing too. It even did it when the guitar was unplugged. I posted a similar thing re my DRRI and in the end took it back to the shop - Ive yet to get it back so cant tell what they did (if anything) but will post it here later in case it helps ok.

[Ax]

Originally Posted by crazymoose

Thanks, I'll try that. Does the fact that the crackling still occurs when the master volume is completely turned down indicate anything? I know that probably depends on how the amp is wired, so if it helps anyone, here's a link to a bunch of schematics for the amp. (Link) A couple items down, there's a simplified circuit diagram. I understand if no one feels like poring over circuit diagrams for me, though.

What I listed? No, it wouldn't matter if the volume were dimed or all the way down. And really, by turning it down you just rule out slightly ratty speakers. They still could be ratty, but they'd be noticeably so if it did it at super low volumes.

[Stratopastor]

crazymoose, it looks like our posts missed each other by a few minutes on the 10th. I had found the schematic myself before my post.

With the master volume down, nothing upstream of that is getting through, therefore the noise isn't being generated by the input jacks or the first couple of tubes or their associated circuitry.

What's left is v3,4 and 5 and their associated circuitry, most likely v3 which you should try wiggling around (gently) in its socket to clean off possible oxidation on the pins. If that doesn't clear the noise.... switch off, wait for v3 to cool and then pull it out, then switch on again without v3 in place. Does the noise reappear? If 'yes' it's in the power stage. If 'no' then try a new tube in v3.... to check that, if you haven't got a spare 12AX,7 then take v1 or v2 and put it in v3. (Switch off, cool, etc etc). If the noise doesn't come back with a different tube in v3 then the original v3 was your problem. Sadly v1 and v2 both play a part in both preamp channels*, so if v3 was your problem you'll need s a spare to get playing - you can't actually play through the amp unless you've got a good tube in all 3 of v1, v2 and v3.... I hope you get to the bottom of the problem...

* on some amps you can take out a preamp tube and carry on playing minus one channel, or minus the reverb... not with this amp though

[crazymoose]

Originally Posted by Stratopastor

crazymoose, it looks like our posts missed each other by a few minutes on the 10th. I had found the schematic myself before my post.

With the master volume down, nothing upstream of that is getting through, therefore the noise isn't being generated by the input jacks or the first couple of tubes or their associated circuitry.

What's left is v3,4 and 5 and their associated circuitry, most likely v3 which you should try wiggling around (gently) in its socket to clean off possible oxidation on the pins. If that doesn't clear the noise.... switch off, wait for v3 to cool and then pull it out, then switch on again without v3 in place. Does the noise reappear? If 'yes' it's in the power stage. If 'no' then try a new tube in v3.... to check that, if you haven't got a spare 12AX,7 then take v1 or v2 and put it in v3. (Switch off, cool, etc etc). If the noise doesn't come back with a different tube in v3 then the original v3 was your problem. Sadly v1 and v2 both play a part in both preamp channels*, so if v3 was your problem you'll need s a spare to get playing - you can't actually play through the amp unless you've got a good tube in all 3 of v1, v2 and v3.... I hope you get to the bottom of the problem...

* on some amps you can take out a preamp tube and carry on playing minus one channel, or minus the reverb... not with this amp though

I'll try that out as soon as I get a chance.

I really do appreciate the help, guys. Unfortunately I got pretty busy right after I posted this, so I lost my ability to spend time troubleshooting

[Ax]

Originally Posted by Stratopastor

crazymoose, it looks like our posts missed each other by a few minutes on the 10th. I had found the schematic myself before my post.

With the master volume down, nothing upstream of that is getting through, therefore the noise isn't being generated by the input jacks or the first couple of tubes or their associated circuitry.

What's left is v3,4 and 5 and their associated circuitry, most likely v3 which you should try wiggling around (gently) in its socket to clean off possible oxidation on the pins. If that doesn't clear the noise.... switch off, wait for v3 to cool and then pull it out, then switch on again without v3 in place. Does the noise reappear? If 'yes' it's in the power stage. If 'no' then try a new tube in v3.... to check that, if you haven't got a spare 12AX,7 then take v1 or v2 and put it in v3. (Switch off, cool, etc etc). If the noise doesn't come back with a different tube in v3 then the original v3 was your problem. Sadly v1 and v2 both play a part in both preamp channels*, so if v3 was your problem you'll need s a spare to get playing - you can't actually play through the amp unless you've got a good tube in all 3 of v1, v2 and v3.... I hope you get to the bottom of the problem...

* on some amps you can take out a preamp tube and carry on playing minus one channel, or minus the reverb... not with this amp though

Interesting, I'd think something like that would be more in the poweramp tubes than the preamp tubes. Could also be his rectifier if it's tube (it's too late for me to scour the schems to verify).

Of the things I would check (simplest to most dificult)

Speakers for ratting.
Speaker connections.
Tube pin oxidation.
That third tube.
Rectifier tube.
Poweramp Tubes.
Biasing.
Cold Solder Joints.
Power Transformers.

I'm sure I missed something but these are possible/obvious culprits.

Btw, when did you notice this, and have you traveled with it recently and if so was it left in a car for any significant amount of time? Or a garage? or anywhere there might be heat and humidity?

[crazymoose]

Originally Posted by Ax

Interesting, I'd think something like that would be more in the poweramp tubes than the preamp tubes. Could also be his rectifier if it's tube (it's too late for me to scour the schems to verify).

Of the things I would check (simplest to most dificult)

Speakers for ratting.
Speaker connections.
Tube pin oxidation.
That third tube.
Rectifier tube.
Poweramp Tubes.
Biasing.
Cold Solder Joints.
Power Transformers.

I'm sure I missed something but these are possible/obvious culprits.

Btw, when did you notice this, and have you traveled with it recently and if so was it left in a car for any significant amount of time? Or a garage? or anywhere there might be heat and humidity?

Ok I did try re-seating the power tubes a couple times, and it did seem to help a little, but the problem's still there. I also checked all the wiring connections that I could. To get at any of the other tubes/circuitry I basically have to completely take apart the amp, so it's a little harder to try. I'll do that as soon as I have the time.

I noticed it around a month ago. It hasn't been in my car in almost a year, but I played so rarely in between then and now that it's possible that the problem has been there for over a year and I just didn't notice.

[Stratopastor]

Ax, the problem will be coming from anything downstream from the master volume control - that includes the power tubes, yes, but also v3, the phase inverter tube. The problem COULD lie with the power tubes being faulty or needing re-seating, but they handle big signals and so are less susceptible to bad contacts compared with the other tubes, which handle little signals which will have a harder time jumping over dirty contacts. So (for what it's worth, writing as I am from another continent and a theoretical perspective!) v3 is my prime suspect and will remain so till it's ruled out. Pity it's hard to physically get at....

[Stratopastor]

so what happened? I crave closure.... :-)