Dark Voice 339 - Page 85

Looking through the vent, I can see everything is attached to the top plate :. it appears that I would indeed turn it over and open the bottom to get to the loose screw.  There is a loose screw inside.  So I did pull it out of the housing.  Hopefully I didn't strip the housing.  Before I attempt this, I had a couple questions.  Are the components sensitive to static (should I take precautions?)  Can I just lift it to the floor and do it on the carpet right below where it is or should I carry it down to a workbench?

Also, my uncle has a neighbor that used to do DIY stuff as a hobby (now he just remodels his house in his spare time)...since everything works I just need to tighten a screw, should I wait until he's available since he would know what he's doing, or is this going to be as simple as replacing a video card?

Quote:

Originally Posted by BackwardPawn 

Looking through the vent, I can see everything is attached to the top plate :. it appears that I would indeed turn it over and open the bottom to get to the loose screw.  There is a loose screw inside.  So I did pull it out of the housing.  Hopefully I didn't strip the housing.  Before I attempt this, I had a couple questions.  Are the components sensitive to static (should I take precautions?)  Can I just lift it to the floor and do it on the carpet right below where it is or should I carry it down to a workbench?

 

Also, my uncle has a neighbor that used to do DIY stuff as a hobby (now he just remodels his house in his spare time)...since everything works I just need to tighten a screw, should I wait until he's available since he would know what he's doing, or is this going to be as simple as replacing a video card?

I had the same problem with the second 339 I received.  I turned the amp upside down on top of the shipping box it came in (slanted downward facing you).  Removed the bottom panel screws and took off the bottom panel. The transformer/capacitor? cover screws are phillips head screws on the corners of the transformer housings. My right one was loose and the four screws were easy to find and tighten.  I've read tube amps can be dangerous to work on even when unplugged so I can't say I recommend doing this.  This is just what I did.  

I have an electrical engineer friend with a workshop and this is basically what we did, except we found the screws on all three transformers and the ground wires had loosened up during shipping.  After some minor surgery, all the screws have been tightened except the two covered by the large capacitors, which we figured would be better not to touch, unless absolutely necessary.

Long story short, my engineering friend was prepared to drive a new hole for the screw, but it wasn't necessary as the screws had worked their way loose rather than stripped.  I'm still waiting for my NOS tubes to verify that the crackling is a tube issue.  But this job turned out to be relatively simple.

I'm sure this has been covered, but its a really long thread.  I think I lucked out finding the Telefunken EF80s (if they ever get here), but what's a decent 6AS7G?  I bought the Soviet version because they were plentiful and cheap on Ebay, but lately have read mixed reviews.  One person put them at the top of his list and one at the bottom.  I figure I should have a backup plan in case I don't like the sound of them.

Do you all buy specific brands, and if so, which ones?  NOS RCA seem a bit expensive, but I could try the brand pot luck from the Tube Center, I kinda wish I'd done that to start with as I'd probably have them by now.  Before I do that, though, do they at least send two of the same brand, or do they just send the next two of that series on the shelf?  Thanks.

Also, at $3.50 each, should I order a few more EF80s to pad out the order for shipping purposes, or am I best off sticking with Telefunken there.  I figure 4 NOS telefunken will last a while, so it would just be to try something different.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BackwardPawn 

I'm sure this has been covered, but its a really long thread.  I think I lucked out finding the Telefunken EF80s (if they ever get here), but what's a decent 6AS7G?  I bought the Soviet version because they were plentiful and cheap on Ebay, but lately have read mixed reviews.  One person put them at the top of his list and one at the bottom.  I figure I should have a backup plan in case I don't like the sound of them.

 

Do you all buy specific brands, and if so, which ones?  NOS RCA seem a bit expensive, but I could try the brand pot luck from the Tube Center, I kinda wish I'd done that to start with as I'd probably have them by now.  Before I do that, though, do they at least send two of the same brand, or do they just send the next two of that series on the shelf?  Thanks.

 

Also, at $3.50 each, should I order a few more EF80s to pad out the order for shipping purposes, or am I best off sticking with Telefunken there.  I figure 4 NOS telefunken will last a while, so it would just be to try something different.

When you order from the tube center you can specify your brand preference in the comments.  I've received RCA 6as7g's from them before so I know they have them.  

Do you all think that the Russian tubes and the EF80s will make a good combination, or should I figure on these being my backup tubes (considering I have a bad stock tube) and I should get a set of American made tubes from Tube Center?  Also, which of the American brands are best, if they can't fill RCA?

Ebay estimates the Russian tubes will be here by Tuesday, but being shipped out of Moscow, it wouldn't surprise me if it took longer and I'd really like to get the bad tube out ASAP.  If the Russian tubes come and are working, it wouldn't hurt, for peace of mind, to know that I have a pair of working (if not the best) tubes sitting in the basement in case one ever burned out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BackwardPawn 

Do you all think that the Russian tubes and the EF80s will make a good combination, or should I figure on these being my backup tubes (considering I have a bad stock tube) and I should get a set of American made tubes from Tube Center?  Also, which of the American brands are best, if they can't fill RCA?

 

Ebay estimates the Russian tubes will be here by Tuesday, but being shipped out of Moscow, it wouldn't surprise me if it took longer and I'd really like to get the bad tube out ASAP.  If the Russian tubes come and are working, it wouldn't hurt, for peace of mind, to know that I have a pair of working (if not the best) tubes sitting in the basement in case one ever burned out.

For 6as7g's I've received RCA, Catham and Marshall Electronics from the tube center (I've only received American brands when ordering 6as7g's).  You can't go wrong with RCA, Catham, Tung-sol and I'm pretty sure the Marshall Electronics is a Tung-Sol re-brand.  

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJS242 

 

For 6as7g's I've received RCA, Catham and Marshall Electronics from the tube center (I've only received American brands when ordering 6as7g's).  You can't go wrong with RCA, Catham, Tung-sol and I'm pretty sure the Marshall Electronics is a Tung-Sol re-brand.  

It was my own mistake for ordering the =C='s instead of getting the tubes from Tube Center.  I think I came out ahead with the EF80s (except the long shipping time)--one of the Ebay dealers was selling a set of 4 Telefunken NOS for $9 each.  I know its more the the 3.95 you can get from Tube Center, but from what I've read, Telefunken is worth it.  And, correct me if I'm wrong, but don't the EF80s affect the sound more than the power tubes?

I'm just trying to decide what to do about my =C='s and my bad tube.  Currently all I've got are the stock tubes and one crackles--someone earlier in the thread suggested I burn the stock tubes for 8 hours straight with no sound and see if it'll burn in.  If the stock tubes worked, I'd just consider them my back ups and wait to see how the =C='s sound before doing anything--its seems to be getting worse not better with use, though.

I'm sure Yuking would send me a tube if I asked, but I the stock tubes have really bad synergy with my headphones so I'd just as soon not bother him with it unless its something more serious.  Know that I'll eventually need more than one set of tubes, I'm thinking I'll order another from Tube Center, then decide whether I like the American tubes or the Russian tubes better and go from there.

If I really don't like the =C='s, I can always resell them as I know there are people out there that do really like them.  They seem to have a love or hate following.

My 339 showed up last week but with some cosmetic damage. I'm not sure if this occurred during shipping or because of shifts in temperature, but there are a few areas where black paint has chipped off the unit (without me touching it). A little annoyed that the paint chips so easily, but I've been told the company will cover any costs to correct the problem.

That is an image to show what I'm talking about. I'm trying to figure out the best method for painting those chipped areas. I'll admit I don't have much experience painting smaller things or electronics (only really painted houses). Looking for some advice regarding the type of paint and technique I should use to try and cover up the chipped areas.

Thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wirbel 

My 339 showed up last week but with some cosmetic damage. I'm not sure if this occurred during shipping or because of shifts in temperature, but there are a few areas where black paint has chipped off the unit (without me touching it). A little annoyed that the paint chips so easily, but I've been told the company will cover any costs to correct the problem.

 

 

That is an image to show what I'm talking about. I'm trying to figure out the best method for painting those chipped areas. I'll admit I don't have much experience painting smaller things or electronics (only really painted houses). Looking for some advice regarding the type of paint and technique I should use to try and cover up the chipped areas.

 

Thanks

I would send Liu a picture of that and see if he can send you a new cover.  There are four screws that hold those in place, it should be easy to swap out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJS242 

 

I would send Liu a picture of that and see if he can send you a new cover.  There are four screws that hold those in place, it should be easy to swap out.

Will look into that. All three of them having chips which is kind of annoying. Didn't expect such cheap paint.

Anyway, in case the replacement covers don't come through, any advice for how to paint these?

I'd spraypaint them
 

6SJ7GT is a direct replacement of the 5693 right? So it can be used in a stock 339 without adapter?

I'm pretty sure this is the case but I'm just double checking ;)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ultrainferno 

6SJ7GT is a direct replacement of the 5693 right? So it can be used in a stock 339 without adapter?

I'm pretty sure this is the case but I'm just double checking ;)

Yep, that's correct.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wirbel 

 

Will look into that. All three of them having chips which is kind of annoying. Didn't expect such cheap paint.

 

Anyway, in case the replacement covers don't come through, any advice for how to paint these?

If you wanted it to look really nice, I would probably have the paint sand blasted off (blocking off the square decals on top) and then uniformly repainted.  You might be able to spray paint it, but it might look obvious.  I guess it depends on what you're going for.