[tbrim]

Yesterday I had my first chance to listen to my new MG Head on and off during the day. I'll get into the overall sound in a later post, but I noticed occasionally clicking noises throughout various listening sessions that I at first attributed to old recordings I had never listened to before. Then I realized that I was occasionally hearing a pop or click with newer recordings as well. Hard to describe the sound, but it sounded like something akin to what static electricity might cause.

Anyway, as I listened later that night, when everyone was in bed, I realized that these random noises were totally gone. This leads me to believe that the pops were coming about as a result of some electrical interference elsewhere in the house - light switches being turned on and off, appliances being turned on an off, perhaps even the A/C kicking on. Is that possible? I only heard these clicks intermittently, and not at all later on.

I don't remember hearing of this particular problem with the MG Head, but this is my first tube amp and I do remember reading that tubed equipment can be sensitive to electrical interference. Ideas?

 

[andrzejpw]

Could it be a problem with the potentiometer? Does it sound scratchy when you change the level?

Which model is it? DT/OTL/OTL32/OTL MK2?

 

[usc goose]

with my ge 5751 tri-black and mg head otl-h, i know i don't consider the tubes fully warmed up for about 3 or so hours. only after that will i get a super clean signal. so i usually just leave it on unless i know i'm not going to be listening to it for a couple days.

 

[tbrim]

Quote:

Originally posted by andrzejpw Could it be a problem with the potentiometer? Does it sound scratchy when you change the level? Which model is it? DT/OTL/OTL32/OTL MK2?

The volume control has no problems. It's an OTL Mark II.

I'm pretty sure it's some type of power interference in my home. Last night I listened for several hours and heard nothing until my wife went into another room and turned the light on and I heard the same crackling sound. I'm pretty sure that's the problem. I have the unit plugged into a cheap power strip - perhaps that's part of the problem....

 

[braillediver]

Definitely plug the amp straight into the wall. Some of the higher end power conditioners might work but the surge suppressor limits surges, not what you need when the amp demands more power for transient response to the audio signal.

Ceiling fans, light dimmers, fluorescent light fixtures, probably light switches being turned on and off can all effect/create noise on the lines. Try plugging the amp into a different outlet or systematically track down the offending item by having someone use different electrical things until you hear which one is creating the noise.


Good Luck

Mitch

 

[Born2bwire]

Microwaves, fridges and A/C units does this too. When they turn on I guess they create a little blip when they take in all that power. In the dorm I always knew when my neighbor was microwaving something cause I could hear the click in my amp. Only thing I can suggest is try straight into the wall outlet and different outlets to try and get on a different circuit. The other solution would be a real power conditioner but those cost alot.

 

[tbrim]

Thanks guys for the comments and suggestions. There are five other people in the house and a lot of appliances and switches that are constantly coming on and off. I can't really plug the amp directly into the wall as the other switch is switched to a light switch and..... anyway, I'll explore ideas. Thanks again....

 

[Dusty Chalk]

It could also be the tubes, either warming up or bad connection. Make sure it's not this latter, as it will kill the tubes. If the clicks are particularly loud, it's probably the power tubes.

PS I don't have a MG Head. I should mention, though, that I have an AudioValve RKV, and it is self-biasing, and sometimes when the tubes are new or cold, the biasing will click and stuff -- perfectly normal. I think the MG Head is self-biasing as well.