Almost exactly a year ago I had reached out with an issue with my PS-100.
At the time it was suggested that I replace the power tubes.
As suggested I replaced the power tubes with a set of APEX tested JJ 6550s. Since then everything had been working well, yet about a week ago the same issue of crackling, popping, and volume fluctuations returned. It has gotten to the point where I cannot really use the PowerStation anymore.
Is it possible that another set of tubes have already gone bad in only a year? I only use it a few hours a week at home, where it is mounted in a rack. Is it possible that there is something wrong with my PS-100 that is either prematurely damaging power tubes, or perhaps another issue entirely? I also have an LXII which I purchase earlier this year to run my Axe FM9 through and it works flawlessly.
I would hate to have to ship it out for testing and repair but I am also wary of replacing power tubes just to have the issue come back again within the year. Please let me know what my best options are.
It might not be the tubes you could try taking out the tubes and cleaning the tube sockets and all the jacks. Use a solvent cleaner like IPA (isopropyl alcohol).
If cleaning does not make a difference then it does indeed sound like the tubes. Sadly, tube quality these days is quite poor. They are all made in a few factories and there is huge demand so QA has kind of gone out the window. Fryette does as much as possible to weed out problematic tubes before shipping.
Thank you for the reply. The issue does seem to have been caused by failed power tubes. I swapped in a new set of matched JJ KT88 and so far so good. Hopefully I have better luck with the KT88 than I have with the 6550. Prior to purchasing the PS-100 I have not had any experience with 6550s but the KT88s in my Shiva have been great for a number of years now.
