The static of Classic se, please help

[fortune126]

Hello, I am new here.
Got a chance to obtain a classic se pre, it's in very good shape, but when I hooked up with my amp, it did work but I found there was static in both channels and didn't change with volumn adjustment. When I opened the housing, I found both tube did light up but were just warm, not at a high temperature, could even hold for a long time.
I am also a new tube (pre or amp) user, I have some solid state gears but know nothing about tube ones.
What is wrong with it? Need to have tubes replacement?
Could I get some help here? Thank you.

[AnotherJohnson]

Hiss, aka static, is nearly always related to noisy small bottle tubes. The small tubes can last for several thousand hours, but in my experience, they can become noisy much sooner in CJ gear.

Try new tubes with matched twin triodes, low noise rating, and low microphonic rating. They will probably solve your problem.

Be sure to turn off and unplug the unit before making the change.

[admin]

Welcome to CJO, great to have you with us.

AJ is most likely right.

Just to confirm 100%, that "static" you here is not by any chance a 60hz hum? If so, you are looking at a ground loop.

[fortune126]

Thank you for your replies.
The static is not like a 60hz hum, more like the radio white noise. I tried to connect the groud to the monster conditioner ground, but nothing help.
I ordered two new tubes, I hope they can make the thing better.

[roberto]

Are the noise on both channels? I am with Another Johnson and Admin. The problem is a small signal tube.

[fortune126]

Yes, both channels, and didn't change with volumn adjustment.

[admin]

Yeah, start with new tubes and report back.

[fortune126]

Hello, had 2 tubes replaced and everything is all right now.
Thank you.

[AnotherJohnson]

Great! Congratulations!

[admin]

Yippee! Glad it was an easy/inexpensive fix.

[roberto]

The knowledge of Admin and Another Johnson is much appreciated.

I do believe also that with CJ, when there is a noised tube, it is more evident due to have a component with much resolution, making it more detectable. I did use in other well known brand these noisy tubes and it was difficult to hear the noise, or it was a kind of masked. It did not bother that much as it does with CJ.

Great to know that everything is now working fine.

Happy listening¡

[Big Dog RJ]

Attn: fortune126

Glad to hear your Classic SE is working perfectly. I used one for a short while and it was the most enjoyable preamp I had the pleasure of owning. It's a very simple design, no remote, no bells or whistles, just a beautiful sound.

Note: remember to use the Mullard M8080 tubes, they were by far the most musical and natural tones I experienced when installing the Classic SE into my system at the time. Also, the SE version has slightly better parts, a few Teflons and Vishays in there, making it even quieter and more of the recording is evident. It's a marvellous preamp.

Cheers, RJ