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HyeGIMD
5
Mar 18, 2018
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Need advice. My system worked intermittently and sounded great for a few days from computer (Windows 10 PC) USB to micro USB of Grace SDAC, then 3.5 mm output from SDAC to RCA's of CTH, and to just the just received Sennheiser 6 XX. Then no music from CTH, thought maybe sound setting or SDAC issue. Reinstalled SDAC and worked intermittently then not at all. Tried next the RCA from SDAC to RCA of CTH, no sound. Tried computer 3.5 mm headphone output to RCA directly of CTH, nothing. Tried Samsung S8 headphone 3.5 mm jack to RCA of CTH, nothing. Finally, RCA's of CD player directly to CTH RCA's, no sound. Headphones work great. New to tubes, initially heated and glowed. Now since no music from CTH, tube does warm but no glow. Was thinking of buying the balanced 4 pin but doubt the CTH headphone jack is the issue and don't want to spend more to trouble shoot. Does this sound like the CTH unit, the tube?
BillyChiu.com
62
Mar 18, 2018
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HyeGIMDYou have a bad unit or busted tube. If you have a spare 6922 or equivalent, try using that. Otherwise, it's time to return your CTH.
BTW, did you order this last year?
HyeGIMD
5
Mar 18, 2018
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BillyChiu.comJust got it about a within 2 weeks, SDAC prior to that and 6 xx this week. Did not use any until I had them all. Was initially working fine first 1-2 days. Then intermittently and when removed and added SDAC back to computer worked for a night. Now not at all. Sounded great when it was working.
HyeGIMD
5
Mar 20, 2018
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BillyChiu.comYes, tried and failed. Bummer. CTH with Grace SDAC sounded far better with the 6XX than with my Oppo HA2. Will be sending it back but likely for a refund as concerned if it happens again. Unfortunately, this is the first issue I have had with a Massdrop product; it happens. No prior experience with tube amps and while I liked the sound, if tubes are prone to fail, may not be worth the headache. Massdrop support has been great. Maybe the Little Dot 2 or Objective 2 instead.
BillyChiu.com
62
Mar 21, 2018
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HyeGIMDI suspect it’s the tube or the pot where the tube sits. The rest of the CTH are discrete solid state boards; not likely the problem. Hope you don’t lose interest with tubes. They offer the flexibility of rolling and that airy sound
HyeGIMD
5
Mar 22, 2018
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BillyChiu.comActually even more interested in tubes as found the sound more enjoyable than many far more expensive headphone amp. combos. at the last CanJam I attended. Still considering ordering this again but concerned about the reliability and maybe see if develops a track record. Any recs. for a good tube amp.? Considering the Schiit Vali 2, Valhalla, Little Dots, Darkvoice. Thanks.
BillyChiu.com
62
Mar 22, 2018
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HyeGIMDI have tried so many, the little dot is actually a lot of fun.
My fav amp is the Cary 300 SEI using the 300B tubes
My fav amp is the Cary 300 SEI using the 300B tubes
jaydunndiddit
3262
Apr 1, 2018
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HyeGIMDI'm having this exact same issue now myself. It stinks as I have only used the CTH once and it seems to be dead. The LED comes on and turns white but the tube has no glow and no sound is coming from the amp. Feeling pretty bummed as it isn't even 4 days old.
HyeGIMD
5
Apr 1, 2018
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jaydunndidditInteresting timing as I was about to send a follow up post to inquire if any others had similar issues. I was considering reordering it I liked the sound so much. Also, it would have been interesting to know what the problem was with my unit. For now I am mulling the Schiit Vali2 vs. Valhalla. Little Dots and Dark Voice tempting but I am not an electrical engineer and can't fix or tinker if these have issues. I need more insurance than a 30 day return. I consider myself lucky the issue was happened early. Customer service and return was great, though.
mwayned
0
Apr 28, 2018
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HyeGIMDI just had the same thing happen to me - had the CTH for about a month, and today found that the amp is soundless. Same symptoms - appears to start up okay, light goes from red to white, tube is warm but no light, and no sound. Tested with a couple of different sources and confirmed it's the amp. I hope Massdrop will honor the return policy in my case.
HyeGIMD
5
Apr 28, 2018
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mwaynedReally too bad. I now have the Valhalla 2 and O2 and using with Grace SDAC. While these are both very good in there own right, still enjoyed the CTH more. I would like to hear some feedback from Massdrop on potential issues found on returned units. I would strongly consider reordering one if I knew what the problem was and if it was corrected with future units. Otherwise just too risky.
jaydunndiddit
3262
Apr 28, 2018
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mwaynedThey should as it has a 1-year warranty. My replacement was swift and they sent me out a new unit before I sent the old one back for RMA at no cost to me. The new unit has been working perfectly so no complaints except a few days I had to go without out. Pretty minor in the grand scheme of things. Hope you get it all sorted.
nobi_one
39
Apr 30, 2018
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HyeGIMDHey errr.. not sure if your problem was resolved. But my tube in the CTH seats deeper than yours in pics.
2
I found inserting tubes in the CTH a challenge cos of the limited visibility...
But then again like you, this is my very 1st AMP. So I could be talking nonsense here.
Good Luck!
But then again like you, this is my very 1st AMP. So I could be talking nonsense here.
Good Luck!
sphung
10
May 6, 2018
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nobi_oneWhat the heck, your tube is seated so much deeper than mine is. I have no idea how deep it's supposed to go because I can't see it, but from the MD pictures it seems like yours is crooked? And it's a lot brighter too, but that could just be the camera. I just re-seated it to confirm. I'm fairly sure mine is in as deep as possible. :|
nobi_one
39
May 8, 2018
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sphungI checked my tube again, by slightly shifting (moving it in gentle circles) it and it seats more middle/centralized now. Seems like there is some wiggle room =)
Bulb brightness wise, could be just a photo / brightness setting thing... I too was unable to see how deep the Tube was able to fit, but I just pushed it in all the way to make sure, moved in small gentle circles movement while i did it.
Using the Metal plating in the Bulb as a point of reference, my tube somehow managed to be seated deep, just slightly below the level of the metal casing itself. I can take a pic to show.
My unit is working superbly and I have no complaints!!
My unit is working superbly and I have no complaints!!
Bobbie
7
May 16, 2018
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mwaynedI had the same problem with my CTH after 3 weeks. Contacted Maasdrop and they offered 3 options; exchange a new unit, return the unit and get a total refund, or get a partial refund to get a replacement tube from another source. I chose to get a new tube. The unit works well with the new tube in. Fingers crossed that the problem will not happen again. The service from Massdrop was excellent.
rastus
1391
Jan 2, 2019
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BillyChiu.comInteresting how I have seen the CAD-300SEI crop up as the ultimate headphone amp in a few locations. This thing is a true unicorn head amp, I bought mine for speakers along with the PB-300 capacitor bank, intrigued by this rare option curing the "power" and bass issues with pure SET amps. Then,.,,. only because my speakers were not set-up and a heap of curiosity,.,., about only a simple gold-plated relay keeping my cans separated from this monster; I plugged my Elex's into the beast..,,, and all changed... This pushed me to switch to a new tube set, even before speakers,,, yes it got even better... I thought that the power bank's reserves would only come into play with speakers... nope... sooo wrong I was... it plays well with cans, most excellently as a matter of fact. It does not 'boost' anything, no boomy bass or shrill highs, it only participates when required. I was moving things around for a bit, and would then sit for a listen and wonder what happened, half the orchestra was at lunch??... then realized that the power bank was un-plugged-- all fixed:)
What cans do you like best with the Cary 300SEI?
A single past reference regarding the power bank:
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