Many years ago I had asked about a noticeable hum that from my W 532
amp. I checked out a few things but never resolved the hum problem. At
the time I was new to tube amps and wasn't quite sure how much if any
hum might be normal for these amps and just left it go thinking that
some hum might be normal. Now that I have had experience with a couple
more tube amps, I realize that the hum is not normal and have decided to
dig in and try to resolve the hum problem.
Symptom: Hum that does not change with the volume. Sounds like 60hz to
me and not sine wave since it has bit of a buzz to it.
I've narrowed it down to the circuit for the 6AU6. Hum goes away when
the amp is muted. Removing the 6AN8 does not change the hum. Shorting
the Aux Amp connection has no effect on the hum. Removing the remote
volume plug has no effect on the hum. I did go through all the resistors
that did not require flying a lead to verify their values. I did find a
few that are marginally out of spec reading approx. 10% too high (R34,
R36, R37). Replacements are on order, but I am not convinced these are
the culprit, but my plan is to replace them to be sure. I think this is
a case where I wish I had an oscilloscope to probe around to see if I
can narrow down the source of the hum. I verified all the grounds for
this circuit and tried swapping out the tube. My next plan is to go
back and check the B+ and then check all the component values and
connections for this circuit. Since these are all on the PCB, I can't
imagine there being not being connected correctly but who knows. Am I
missing anything obvious?
Carl Haines