Forums - Problem with Rachael

Verified Member

Posts: 18

Problem with Rachael
01/21/25 at 21:09:52

Hi there...

I am trying to diagnose an issue with my system. I was playing music on my turntable this morning and later in the day put on another record. There was no sound. When I looked at my Rachael, the bias meters were both at 0. I have swapped out each and every tube on my Rachael and on the Aric (with the exception of the OD3 regulators). Both the Aric and Rachael turn on and the tubes are glowing. I also took the Aric out of the chain and the bias meters are still at 0.

Any ideas what the issue could be? Hoping it is something easy but feeling like it could be heading for servicing. Thanks.

-- Alan

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HockessinKid Seasoned Member Posts: 1211	Re: Problem with Rachael Reply #1 - 01/21/25 at 21:32:18 Check all your power cord IEC and interconnect connections, then all your equipment fuses as a first step. HK
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Lon Seasoned Member "Love without guts is worthless!" Philip K. Dick Posts: 25251	Re: Problem with Rachael Reply #2 - 01/21/25 at 21:38:52 If your Rachel has a three fuse panel underneath the chassis I suspect that the two low value fuses are likely non-functioning--your symptoms are what I have encountered when that happens.
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CAJames Seasoned Member "I've run every red light on memory lane." Posts: 2279	Re: Problem with Rachael Reply #3 - 01/21/25 at 21:44:35 Agree with Lon. If the tubes light up but the bias meters are a zero the problem is most likely the fuses for the rectifier.
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Alan Arkin Verified Member Posts: 18	Re: Problem with Rachael Reply #4 - 01/21/25 at 21:46:07 Thanks. Lon - If that is the case, are those replaceable by me?
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Lon Seasoned Member "Love without guts is worthless!" Philip K. Dick Posts: 25251	Re: Problem with Rachael Reply #5 - 01/21/25 at 22:03:31 Yes, generally the top fuse is the 5 amp for the rectifier full power, and the two other fuses are probably 250 ma (should hopefully be marked) and they are just in standard fuse holders and pop out. Usually, but not always, you can see they failed.
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Alan Arkin Verified Member Posts: 18	Re: Problem with Rachael Reply #6 - 01/21/25 at 22:04:07 Not sure if I was understanding correctly but there is no fuse panel on the bottom of the Rachel.
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Lon

Seasoned Member

"Love without
guts is
worthless!"
Philip K. Dick

Posts: 25251

Re: Problem with Rachael
Reply #7 - 01/21/25 at 22:30:19

I have not had a Rachel or the earlier model since before Steve started putting those fuse panels underneath the chassis. . . (not on the bottom of the unit but if you unscrew the chassis from the base on the underside of the chassis where all the "wiring" is)--so I was unsure if there was one--if there is one, I think that may be a reason for the lack of sound.

If you have a spare main fuse in the holder in the IEC inlet try that. Fuses can exhibit weird behavior. As can rectifiers--if you have a spare one swap it in and see what happens.

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HR-1,ZBIT,ZROCK2,SEWE300B,CSP3-25mod; Rega RP3 all GrooveTracer mods;PSAudio:PST+DSD, DAC Mk II, P15,NPC,PowerBases,AC-12 pwr cbls, Reference spkrcbls; Mapleshade SamsonV3; VooDoo:Cremona+Amati interconnects;Stack EQ; headphones: Sennheiser HD800S,ZMF Ori,Oppo PM1

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Alan Arkin Verified Member Posts: 18	Re: Problem with Rachael Reply #8 - 01/22/25 at 11:50:26 Thanks for the insights! Hopefully I can get this solved pretty quickly. If it was the fuses for the rectifier, does that mean that the tube I had in is bad? If I put that one back in, would it likely blow the fuse again?
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Lon Seasoned Member "Love without guts is worthless!" Philip K. Dick Posts: 25251	Re: Problem with Rachael Reply #9 - 01/22/25 at 13:02:16 it probably, possibly would. It would be best to have another rectifier on hand to use, and extra fuses if you want to try the original rectifier again.
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Alan Arkin Verified Member Posts: 18	Re: Problem with Rachael Reply #10 - 01/22/25 at 13:20:23 Good thing I have another on hand and another (a NOS RCA) on the way! I was using a Sophia Electric Aqua II 274b -- glad I got the 1 year warranty. I guess I will send it back to them too.
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MikeinMontana

Seasoned Member

Posts: 286

Re: Problem with Rachael
Reply #11 - 01/22/25 at 18:10:46

I had issues with rectifier tubes. Chinese ones. Been using a NOS 1953 RCA 5u4g for several months now. A top getter A very pretty vacuum tube with perfect silvering (getter flash?) on the upper top and facing forward when installed... Works perfectly, never a problem. NOT changing it! Cheesy

My other favorite is a 1951 NICE Zenith labeled 5u4g (National Union) Even the yellow/gold typical Zenith label is like new on the base as well. Looks like out of the box. Love our little Decware Zen amp!
Take care ~ Mike

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Alan Arkin Verified Member Posts: 18	Re: Problem with Rachael Reply #12 - 01/22/25 at 18:20:01 Cool... the Sophia Electric Aqua II 274b was pretty highly regarded and had been working fine for the past 4 months or so. I do have an NOS RCA on its way to me so we will see once I get it up and running again.
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MikeinMontana Seasoned Member Posts: 286	Re: Problem with Rachael Reply #13 - 01/22/25 at 18:26:46 I have heard that a lot folks like those too.. But, I seem to have the Schleprock syndrome with certain rectifiers.. Let us know how it goes when it arrives Alan Bet all goes a-ok...
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