I'm using TAD 6L6 WGC STR's and I'm quite happy with them as far as production tubes go.

I guess the most important discovery and significant difference I've made was buying a NOS RCA Short Plate 12AX7. I realize this is a no-brainer for many around here, but I'm not one to want to spend lots of money on tubes. But this convinced me of the worth. I originally got it for my D-lator (which sounded great) but then decided to put it in V1 of the amp. What a great sound! If you looking for better cleans, then this is what you want to do. There are other good NOS choices also for V1, but I really like this.

I have some Tung Sol RI 12AX7's in V2 and V3 and took the one I had in V1 and put it in the D-lator. I was/am happy with these tubes also. But very likely when it comes time to totally retube the amp, I will get all NOS. That is, if I can find them and afford them. 

Like Homesick, I was thinking the same thing. If you just got this amp a week ago then you don't have a clue what this amp is about yet. I sat with it for a month on the bench tweaking at the internal trimmers. And then after that I took it out of the head and adjusted based on the break-in. But from the beginning and all along I new I had a special amp.

Getting the most out of it makes it not a "plug & play" type of thing. And also, the C-lator does add quite a bit of more sonic possibilities. It's been about 9 months since I built it and somedays I still think it's breaking in yet. Very likely changes in the tubes life. Which brings up another aspect. I have never had an amp that can react so differently based on the tubes in it. So if you haven't experimented with tubes yet, that's another aspect. I wouldn't do any of this until you get it broken in for a month or so.

I will say that if I would have owned an amp like this twenty years ago, I wouldn't have had a clue what to do with it. I just had not advanced enough in terms of my ear, playing and what I wanted out of my equipment to get what it was all about.

I would say that a few things are normal, but some seem odd, although it's hard to tell based on your descriptions. The volume jump I think is pretty normal. Mine does this too. As far as the play in the push/pull pot...have you made sure that the set screw is tight? The push pull pots aren't the most solid of "feel" pots, but pretty normal for the type and quality of those used.

When you say say the amp "fires back on" do you mean that the "ON" light come back on or are you talking about the way the power caps discharge when turning the amp off? Have you played tube amps before?

The part about going silent when changing channels doesn't seem normal. Was the mains power from a good source? I'm not sure what this might be.

One question. Did you build this or get it from Ceriatone built and setup? The reason I ask is it's how the internal trimmers, including the internal OD trimmer are set which have a pretty big impact on how the OD will sound. I keep the back control about 11:00. But it's the relationship between the back OD control and the front Volume, Drive & Level controls that can really change up the way the OD will sound and respond. Also, the LNFB switch will have an impact too. I haven't made up my mind whether the LNFB is more impactful on the cleans than the OD.  Also, what tubes are you using?

How do you normally set your gain controls? Definitely these amps need a nice break-in period. If you're wanting the Marshall sound, I would say sticking with a Celestion type speaker would be a better thing. I have a WGS ET65, Veteran 30 combo that sounds great. It seems like most opinions around the net are that the EV12L is the speaker of choice for a D-style amp, but I'm not in such a hurry to try one out. I have played though high effiency speakers before (JBL's) with fender twins, and while they're great speakers, I'm looking for a different feel and sound from my HRM.

Were you refering to what the Xotic BB Preamp pedal is or what was the Echoplex preamp circuit I have be building is?

I have a HRM 50 and can achieve Marshall sounds with it. I would say as good as any pedal you're going to find. I'm suprised you aren't happy with all the different OD flavors you can achieve with the HRM.

I have been experimenting with different pedal boost circuits lately and although I have found a few cool ones (boost based on the Echoplex preamp) most the time I prefer to use the amp for all overdrive/distortion. The only other OD pedal I have on my board all the time is the Xotic BB preamp.

Awesome cabinets!! 

Any soundclips?

Wow! very nice. Boy I wish I had that much dicsipline when I was 14. Tell him to keep at it. He is really sounding good.

Yes, it does seem that something is wrong. If you have no electronic or amp experience I'm thinking taking it to a tech is in order. If it's only 2 months old it should be under warranty. Have you contacted Nik yet?

Do you have any soldering skills? If so, you could start by reflowing the connections around the treble pot and connections associated with it. Also just take a look around for any glaring soldering issues. Download the layout from the Ceriatone site and trace the circuit based on the layout.

Also, was this built as a kit or by Ceriatone? Has anyone owned it previously or could've messed with the internal TMB trimmers? 

Has the amp been like this since you got it? Have you talked to Nik about it?

I would have to agree with Plasticvonband. It's as if part of the circuit is not grounded properly. are you familiar with the amp layout or working with amps?

I agree. The inductance is what has some effect on the way the amp will respond. Since this is the same, your good. Your amp is going to sound awesome. Don't worry. 

Did Nik say whether is has the same specs. as the OTS choke? Because if it does then it will sound the same. I would guess it's actually the same choke just with a different label. I don't think Nik would steer you wrong. He has his PT, OT and chokes custom made for him, so labeling is probably just to keep track of inventory more than it is a representation of the specs.

When was the last time you changed the tubes? What tubes are you using?

Did you build this amp? If not, where/who did you get it from?

The first thing that comes to mind is that you have the PAB engaged which will take the tone stack out of the equataion. Do you have a footswich connected? if not, how is the switches on the back panel set?

Wow, super work!!