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Flux should not be an issue, and there are no stinking circuit boards in my amp.

Well, I noticed a rectifier flash on the right channel amplifier (not the one that was making popping noises.)

I usually run Mullard GZ37 but only have 1-2 pairs left so I switched to Russian 5u3c on the hope that these readily available and cheap tubes would fill in for the GZ37. Guess not...

Popped an older used pair of GZ37 that were used daily from 2013 to 2018 and everything works perfect now. No flash on the right channel rectifier, no startup popping from the left channel.

You can run your glass rectifier with a pair of silicon diodes with appropriate cap in series. I have been told this is a good thing

The cap is for switching noise? This is for protecting the PT?

Might as well just go SS rectifier like

https://www.tedweber.com/ws1

But no voltage drop would bump up B+ and require a dropping resistor.

I just know a couple commercial units that use this method.

I had an old amplifier at work that would make an occasional pop. Drove me crazy trying to find the fault. Turned out it was a voltage breakdown in the interstage coupling transformer.

Good luck.
David

Well, if having a big soundstage bothers you, and you'd like to collapse it, that would be just the ticket!

LOL, sorry, couldn't resist, and I know the SS guys' fingers are twitching!

I was not really considering it. Although in theory, I would think that a properly designed PS could sound pretty good even with SS rectification?


My phono stage has SS rectification of MOSFET regulation and it takes forever to warm up and sound decent.

Power supply design is not a matter of solid state or tubes. It is a matter of the PS being able to supply enough power and noise rejection to make the following circuits not even know they are connected to the mains. It should look like the perfect voltage source. You can do it either way.

Then why do manufacturers make a big deal about glass rectifers