[murf]

Ok, this is frustrating for sure.
Powered it up and got crackling noise as stated before.
Started pulling tubes one at a time and found when I got to one of the 7b7 tubes it stopped after I pulled it. Rectifier is still in.
Pulled the last 3 with no change.
All I get is a very slight humm from the speaker.
Put the tubes back in, including the same 7b7 tube that was causing the problem, and now the noise is gone.
Replaced all the tubes and noise is gone.
Replaced the 7b7 tube in question with another, and still no noise.
Maybe dirty pins on the loctal tube?
I will let it cool down and try it again cold and see if the noise returns.
Maybe I should take the time to clean all the tube pins while I am at it.