No picture distored sound.

Maybe, I caught myself hitting the "5" instead of "6" a couple times. I'll have to double check the documentation this evening to be sure.

I take it that it's unlikely to be a coincidental tube failure in the video and audio tracks? With 30 tubes, I wouldn't be surprised to have multiple tubes fail once in a while, even two at the same time.

I have a Hickok 533A tube tester on its way (bless the man who founded eBay). If it works as good as advertised against known good tubes, I don't see the harm checking the tubes (my time is cheaper than a shop's). My guess is checking the tubes associated with the audio branch, then the ones listed under "No picture, sound normal" in my DIY TV trouble shooter guides. As long as I don't accidentally break anything removing & replacing the tubes, it can't hurt to try.

It's a good thing I enjoy tinkering--I can see why most people wouldn't have the patience for tube driven stuff. It's been fun learning more about the old stuff. I just got to remember to unplug the set first and not touch anything but the tubes when I'm in there.



Thanks again,
Joe