odaey
Junior Member
Posts: 62
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Post by odaey on Sept 11, 2008 8:15:50 GMT 7
For the past nights, I've been giving my AB-1 sub (1003 substituted for the oroignal B110's) some casual listening. I was in the process of trying out some amps that I have, So I decided to hook up the pilot 232. It started out with it's sweet beautiful tone ( I'm sure owners of this amp. know what I mean) The Ls3/5a was connected to the 15 ohm tap by the way. Then after about 30 mins things started to blur and sound was slowly but surely deteriorating.
My pilot 232 is still stock Including the old tubes. It doesn't run that hot nor see the the power tubes glowing wildly. No humming, no smell of burning stuff.
You guys have any insights on the possible problem? I initially thought of the power tubes. I know Dan ,James and Grant are very familiar with this model.
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Post by splendor on Sept 11, 2008 9:39:09 GMT 7
"My pilot 232 is still stock including old tubes." Sounds like some of the old tubes are giving way. Check the 12AU7 or the drive tubes perhaps. Sounds like you've unplugged the amp with the sound slowly disappearing. So it might be some of the "old" tubes Rodney.
I was just biasing my Mark IVs when suddenly the sound from the left amp started to banish because the recti tube (5AR4) was like you need to keep the contacts tight. NOthing was wrong really when I re-placed it.
Otherwise, you need to see Mang Rod, he's the expert on all vintage amps. NOthing he can't repair. Once a fisher amp was sent. There was a nagging bit of a hum. He discovered that a piece of galvanized screw was causing it. A very minor problem that's real hard to locate but he nipped it in the bud!
If you haven't met him yet Rodney, this is the time if you don't have a tech there where you live. Tel nos. in his residence 522 1696.
I love the Pilot SA 232 like you do!
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Post by mossback on Sept 11, 2008 20:05:19 GMT 7
Yep, we know what you mean! ;D
My first guess is something failing as it heats up. Could be a cracked solder joint or a failing resistor? Maybe something simple.
James is right, Mang Rod can give the amp a tune-up. IMO have him replace all the PS filter caps. They have become unsafe after all these years.
Good luck!
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odaey
Junior Member
Posts: 62
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Post by odaey on Sept 12, 2008 19:59:25 GMT 7
Thanks for the tips Guys, I'll try to contact mang Rod one of these days but It's best to have a fresh stock of EL84's ready just the same.
I just had a chat with one of sales clerks of the Late Mr. johnny Cruz at balikbayan Handicrafts. The clerk said they used to have quite a stash of Telefunken EL84's which was apparently bought out recently. What they had remaining in their stocks were Some philipp's and some Beards.
Do you guys have any idea if these beards could by any chance be Mullards? Any experience or Info with regards to the sound of this brand?
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Post by mossback on Sept 14, 2008 9:05:51 GMT 7
Rodney IMO the Phillips’s EL84 betters the Telefunken but nothing yet sounds as good as Mullard. You do know that some Phillips’s are actually Mullard?
The only tube that comes close is BEL. BEL was a UK Military subcontractor that took the old Mullard tooling to India and made some very good tubes.
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odaey
Junior Member
Posts: 62
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Post by odaey on Sept 14, 2008 12:58:57 GMT 7
Mossback,
Thanks again for the info. I'll keep my fingers crossed and hope I get lucky with the philips. I wanted to have the tubes ready before I bring them in for a check-up.
BTW, any of you guys know whats going on with the boards? Am I missing something here, Any program I should download for translation?
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