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Speaker hum from integrated tube amp (Miniwatt N3)

Hi,

I have limited experience with tubes. I just bought a used Miniwatt N3 (cheap Chinese integrated amp w/ one 12ax7 and two EL84s). There is an audible hum on my Omega 93db fostex single drivers.

*Not a ground loop--hum there when ground lifted and when no source is plugged in.
* Hum only appears when tubes are hot.
*Hum was much more noticeable when I first got the amp last week.
*The hum fluctuates while its playing--at times it's pretty audible with the music playing, and other times I can only hear it if I am closer than 5 feet to the speakers and the music is not playing.
*Hum not affected by volume control, but it's much louder on my 99db Klipsch speakers.

Miniwatt's distributor supposes that it's probably one or two bad power tubes. He didn't seem to think a hum is typical of these units.

What do you folks think? Sound like a bad tube, or likely something I can't fix by replacing the tube?

I'm asking because the seller has only agreed to a partial refund for a return, and I'm wondering if I'm likely throwing good money after bad by replacing the tubes before I try to return it.

Thanks!


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Topic - Speaker hum from integrated tube amp (Miniwatt N3) - monsterbill 01:07:05 04/28/11 (3)

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