New PS2a hum/rustling noise issue

Stage & Studio Power Station PS-2
1

Hello,
I have just bought a PS2a brand new from a Hungarian distributor in Europe. I just turned it on today for the first time. There is this rustling/scratching sound and hum, even with just the PS2a on and the amp off, but with the speaker connected to the PS2a. All this is coming out through the speaker. All the connections are correct. No such problem with the PS2a out of the chain. Strangely, the problem goes away when I switch to bypass. All this suggests there is a problem with the tubes. What are my options?

Best,
Tom

2

Hi and welcome!

I’m checking with the factory a few things, please standby for some accurate information. I want to check if this could be anything other than tubes—don’t want to send a replacement and it not fix the problem.

Could you post an audio clip or video chip of the sounds, this would help.

We warranty tubes for 90 days so what we would normally do it send a replacement, they process is described here How can I make a replacement part request?

Regards

3

Hi, awesome Dan!
I hope you can view this.
Right after I stopped filming, there was a big loud bang. Nothing exploded, but the problem persists. Maybe I’ll not use the unit for now.
Thank you so much!
Best regards,
Tom

PS2A_noise.mp4

4

Hi Tom,

I don’t seem to have permission to see the video/audio file. Is there a way you can make it open?

5

Hi Dan,

Would you be willing to risk a wetransfer download? I assure you it’s clean.

Best,
Tom

6

Hi Tom,

Got it!

OK, I understand better now the experience. The hum you mention sounds normal to me, in the sense that my PS-2 also sounds like this. I know this comes down a lot to personal opinions and expectations about how gear should work. The reason why this does not bother me is that when I’m playing guitar, I cannot hear that. It’s similar to the hum that you might hear from a tube amp when it is on but not being played.

The other sound on the recording, the intermittent crackling, does indicate something is not working right. We have seen with certain tubes that this goes away over time; particularly Sovtek 6550s can crackle initially and then settle down. However, your PS-2A has a 12AX7 and two 6L6s.

  • Do you have a spare 12AX7? You could start by swapping that out and to see if the crackle goes away?
  • Do you have a spare set of 6L6s? That would be the next thing to try.

See here for how to open the unit and swap tubes, How do I change the tubes and fuses in the Power Station

As this is new, Fryette warranties tubes for 90 days, so you should be able to speak with the distributor to get those swapped out for free. Does that sound a reasonable way forward?

7

Hi Dan,
Too bad about the hum, but I do have brand new spare 12AX7s (JJ) and 6L6s (Sovtek) at home. I’ll do as you suggest and we’ll see :slight_smile:
Thank you so much!
Best,
Tom

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8

Hi Dan,
I finally got around to replacing the stock tubes with mine, and the problem is gone. The sound is better, less muddy, the bottom is tighter. The 12ax7 wasn’t enough - the 6L6s had to go. So, clearly faulty tubes. I’m already in contact with support. Thank you so much for suggesting a swap. This makes things much easier.

Best regards,
Tom

9

Hi Tom,
Great to hear this! So did it solve the problem? Hope you can get back to playing :slight_smile:

10

Hi Dan,
Matter in progress - I’m using my tubes now, but I was assured I would receive replacements.
So, yes - problem solved :slight_smile:
Thank you!
Best reagrds,
Tom

11

Hi Dan,
Everything’s been dealt with, issue solved, my PS-2a rocks. Thank so very much.
Best regards,
Tom

12

Hi Tom

Thanks for coming back! I’m delighted to hear the the good news.

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