Demeter preamp static

[jacoby75]

Hi guys,

I'm having a slight issue with my preamp, and I'm wondering if you could help me out.

I'm running a Demeter VTBP 201-S into a Carvin DCM2000L power amp (via unbalanced line out with a Monster Bass short angle-angle cable), with an Alesis compressor in the effects loop, and the tuner out heading to a Fender rack tuner. All run into a Monster power strip. I have had the Demeter pre for about 6 or 7 years, using it most weekends.

At a recent gig, I noticed the pre was giving off some static. It got louder as I increased the volume on the pre. In an effort to troubleshoot, I did several things. I first removed everything from the power amp, and there was no noise, so I know it's not the power amp. I then removed the compressor and tuner from the equation, so the pre was just running straight to the poweramp, and nothing else was attached. I tried different 1/4" cables, tried an XLR cable, tried both channels of the Carvin amp, and messed with every knob on the pre to see if it was just a dirty pot. But nothing made a difference. I also unplugged the bass from the input, so I know the bass itself was no factor, and I tried a different power outlet in the room we were in. The only thing that makes the static stop is muting the unit. It also made the same noise at a different venue the next day.

Any suggestions? I emailed James at Demeter but haven't heard back yet. I'm afraid he might be gone for the holiday. Do you think it might be time to replace the tube? Could an old tube generate static?

Thanks for your help.

[babebambi]

yes
seeing that's a tube pre, first thing to check would naturally be the tubes

[jacoby75]

By the way, just to follow up, I did replace the tubes and the static went away. Thanks for the advice.