A "brumming" sound from Herbert

[HumdinGer]

My Herbert makes what I'll call a loud "trafo sound" from the amp itselves. There's no noise through the speakers (except from what's normal for a high gain amp), but it's so loud from the amp itselves that you can hear it through the mic when playing clean and at low volume. I've owned a lot of different amps through the years, but none of them have made such loud unwanted noise as my Herbert. Is this normal? If not, what could be causing this problem?

Again I must repeat that this is a mechanic noise from the amp itselves, and I can't hear this sound at all through the speakers. I love the sound I get through the speakers when using my Herbert. Best sound I've ever had, but I would love to get something done about that "trafo sound" if it's possible. Hope someone can help me with this.

 

[Duolos]

How loud are you playing and what are your settings? Is the noise you are referring to the "white noise" that is associated with high gain amps at volume?

 

[Ailean]

Sounds like a transformer to me, my VH4 is silent (unless you want to burn your ear on the grill). I can feel a vibration in the chassis when it's switched on, which makes me wonder if there is something loose in your. Check to see if the transformer is bolted down ok and everything else for that matter.

Standard warning - Voltage and capacitance inside a head can be leathal even after it is switched off, please be careful or get an amp tech to check it.

 

[HumdinGer]

How loud are you playing and what are your settings? Is the noise you are referring to the "white noise" that is associated with high gain amps at volume?

No, this has nothing to do with the normal high-gain white noise you can hear through the speakers. The "brumming sound" is the same volume, and again only mechanical from the amp itselves, no matter what the settings on the amp are.

Sounds like a transformer to me, my VH4 is silent (unless you want to burn your ear on the grill). I can feel a vibration in the chassis when it's switched on, which makes me wonder if there is something loose in your. Check to see if the transformer is bolted down ok and everything else for that matter.

No need for me to stick my head in there to hear the sound. I can hear it loud and clear from across the room. When I try to ignore the mechanical "trafo sound", and stick my head near the speaker, then I don't hear anything but normal high-gain white noise.

Like I mentioned earlier, this sound can't be heard on Herberts speaker outputs. It's only a mechanical noise from the amp itselves.

 

[Timonac]

I got the same noise in my Herbert.
I think it is just the trafo, so i think it is normal?!?!

 

[RaulTx]

Hello!!!

I'm a bit "newbie" on tube amps, and after reading your posts, i'm a bit curious about that trafo sound you are talking about. Could you describe it a bit better??

In the last couple of weeks, i've started to hear a "fizzz sound" (something like a vibration) on the gain channels, that comes from my Einstein head, and i think it's mechanical (i hear it clear when i get closer to the amp head, but not through the speaker i think). Is this what you mean with "trafo sound"?

Thanks!
Raul.

 

[Ailean]

Sounds like something loose to me. Have you got any amp tech's near you? If you have take it in and ask them to take a quick listen and see what they think.

 

[HumdinGer]

In the last couple of weeks, i've started to hear a "fizzz sound" (something like a vibration) on the gain channels, that comes from my Einstein head, and i think it's mechanical (i hear it clear when i get closer to the amp head, but not through the speaker i think). Is this what you mean with "trafo sound"?

I wouldn't describe my problem sound as a fizzz sound, but then again it could be we're just using different words to describe the same sound (like my wife... I don't know what language she talks, but it has nothing to do with the languages I've learned ). In my Herbert it's the exact same sound no matter what channel and settings I use, so I don't think your problem is the same as mine. Maybe a bad tube in the gain preamp section?

 

[bronz79]

I think is pretty hard to find a cura to a problem not hearing the sound itself.
If you can HumdinGer post a record of the noise coming out your herbert.

 

[Peter Diezel]

Please tighten the 4 screws on the top of the main transformer.

And ..... big volume causes more mechanical noise. I would
like to say the Herbert is not the right amp for bedroom level.

Best,

Peter

 

[RaulTx]

I wouldn't describe my problem sound as a fizzz sound, but then again it could be we're just using different words to describe the same sound (like my wife... I don't know what language she talks, but it has nothing to do with the languages I've learned ). In my Herbert it's the exact same sound no matter what channel and settings I use, so I don't think your problem is the same as mine. Maybe a bad tube in the gain preamp section?

Yes, maybe it's not the same problem. I've tried to retube the whole amp, and I'm finally sending Peter the amp to get it fixed. I would like to thank him for the big support and closeness (i think he's getting tired of all my mails )

Regards,
Raul.

 

[HumdinGer]

I think is pretty hard to find a cura to a problem not hearing the sound itself.
If you can HumdinGer post a record of the noise coming out your herbert.

I've thought of this myself. I'll try Peters advice (thanks Peter ) first, and if that doesn't help I'll post a recording of the sound. I'm a bit busy next week, so maybe next weekend...

 

[Peter Diezel]

Hey Raul,

You know I have no problem with a few emails

I hope the amp will chime in soon

 

[RaulTx]

I hope too!!!

Thanks again, Peter