[robinje]

Are tube dampeners of any benefit to AVA preamps or poweramps?  I have often wondered about these devices, but I have an inklng that they may be somewhat "audiophlake" and not provide any sonic benefit.  Please elaborate on your experience with tube dampeners and their merits or lack thereof.  

Thanks!

[Tweaker]

I tried some on an Anthem Pre-1 peamp and they ruined the sound.  Others swear by them. I have some Herb's Audio Labs Halo- 9's that will fit minature 9-pin tubes like 6922's and 12AX7's, etc., and one that will fit a rectifier tube like a 5AR4, if you (or anyone else) is interested.

[boead]

Are tube dampeners of any benefit to AVA preamps or poweramps?  I have often wondered about these devices, but I have an inklng that they may be somewhat "audiophlake" and not provide any sonic benefit.  Please elaborate on your experience with tube dampeners and their merits or lack thereof.  

Thanks!

What are you a trouble maker like Woody Woodpecker?

I think they can help with microphonic tubes but if the tubes are microphonic then they likely should be replaced although some very old tubes can have a desirable sound and still be micro phonic so a tube dampener can help ‘fix’ it.

[avahifi]

In theory, they should be helpful, but I have not been able to hear it yet.

Some of the harder ones might just change the small scale microphonics rather than help it.

I have seen some of our equipment come back for service or resale that had some really ugly tube dampers installed.  They melted and ran down the tubes into the sockets and surrounding circuits in a sticky mess.  I have no idea what brand they were as the ID on them melted too.

Wrapping the tubes with some high temp rubber bands might work as well.

Frank

[skrivis]

In theory, they should be helpful, but I have not been able to hear it yet.

Some of the harder ones might just change the small scale microphonics rather than help it.

I have seen some of our equipment come back for service or resale that had some really ugly tube dampers installed.  They melted and ran down the tubes into the sockets and surrounding circuits in a sticky mess.  I have no idea what brand they were as the ID on them melted too.

Wrapping the tubes with some high temp rubber bands might work as well.

Frank

You could always apply some RTV silicone if it's rated for hi temp.

I'd be scared that anything that covers part of the tube will cause it to run hotter.

[TheChairGuy]

I've used a Mortite/Dennis rope caulk top hat (a little cap, with the tip protruding thru...about dime sized) on all my l'il preamp tubes for years....works great.  NO Plast-i-Clay as it will melt....only rope caulk found at Hardware Stores. A much tighter lower end (primarily) is the result...a point of inferiority in tube gear vs. SS that is made much smaller employing them.

I've also used Herbie's tube rings......no meltdown after 3 years.

I've only made the hats and used Herbie's on small preamp tubes(12ax7, 6922, 6n1p - which runs hotter than the others) ...having never owned a tube power amp.

[markC]

I've used Herbie's dampers for a few years now. Never had a problem with them-they still look like new. Can't honestly say I noticed a signifigant change in sound though. I think that if you use a good quality tube that isn't prone to microphonics, then you don't really benefit from using tube dampers. My experience is also with miniature 9 pins.

[ricmon]

Old school method:  Take the tubes down to your local auto parts store and get some "O" rings.  Maybe two to three per tube.  They are cheap and you can test for any benefit without spending a lot of money on audio jewlry

[Listens2tubes]

The O rings used on my MkIV amps are from a seller on eBay. He writes "These damper rings are made of Aerospace High Temperature Silicone. Rated to withstand up to 450 F." Would these same type work in the T8 preamp or would they melt or worse.

[avahifi]

Rated to withstand 450 degress F, those would probably be OK.

Frank