[marvda1]

has anyone tried these mapleshade tube dampers?
http://www.mapleshaderecords.com/audioproducts/tubeanchors.php

[Hogg]

Hello

     As you probably know tube dampers are quite controversial.  Some claim no change to the sound and shortened tube life.  I've tried the Mapleshade and Herbie dampers.  The Mapleshade made the biggest difference in sound.  I noticed a quieter background and greater 3-D imaging, when installing them on a DIY hybrid amp, Hawk HB-30.  I couldn't install them on another amp, Croft integrated because the preamp tubes were too close together.  Installation is relatively easy.  Just don't tighten the damper too tight or you'll burst the tube.  Also Mapleshade recommends the dampers be grounded with a copper ribbon they supply.  Good luck.

                                                                                                  Jim

[TheChairGuy]

I've tried the Herbie's only - to great effect on small 9 pin tubes (12ax7 and 6922's in my preamp) with good results.  It tightens up the bass a bit - give s a little more focus to the proceedings.

They are reasonably priced (maybe $7.95 now), but pretty much the same thing can be achieved by giving your tubes a little 'Mortite' or 'Dennis' tube hat/cap/yarmulke (available in most hardware stores - in the paint section most often,  I think). It's a clay compound that you can buy for about $4.00 a pound (will treat 10,000 tubes or so)  that you make a little dime shaped and spread on the top of your tube (letting the little nipple poke out if you have one).  Tap the tube after wards and you'll see it's better damped (the glass has a different, heavier ring to it).  Enjoy the more precise thump of bass and a little better focus as you stamped out some level of microphonics.

I've no idea if it lowers effective tube life...the little 9 pin triodes don't heat up much.  Not sure if I'd use the 'hat' on any biggie/hotter power tubes, tho  aa

[jqp]

Hello

     As you probably know tube dampers are quite controversial.  Some claim no change to the sound and shortened tube life.  I've tried the Mapleshade and Herbie dampers.  The Mapleshade made the biggest difference in sound.  I noticed a quieter background and greater 3-D imaging, when installing them on a DIY hybrid amp, Hawk HB-30.  I couldn't install them on another amp, Croft integrated because the preamp tubes were too close together.  Installation is relatively easy.  Just don't tighten the damper too tight or you'll burst the tube.  Also Mapleshade recommends the dampers be grounded with a copper ribbon they supply.  Good luck.

                                                                                                  Jim

Tighten the screws until the tubes almost shatter. Then tighten 1 full turn. Then get a solid state component.

Just kidding - I have a CD-1 which uses tubes for output. Those tube iron lungs look pretty mean.

[Berndt]

all these tube topics....

[BobM]

If you read the Mapleshade Tube Tweaks section, they mention using metal hose clamps around the tubes. Now why haven't I ever heard of anyone doing this? It makes total sense to me - dampening the glass, conducts heat away, doesn't swallow up the whole tube (reducing the lights), cheap, etc.

Has anyone tried this?

Enjoy,
Bob

[fajimr]

has anyone tried these mapleshade tube dampers?

you probably know this already, but just in case you don't, mapleshade offers a 30 day money back guarantee if you don't like their products.  never tried the money back thing myself but have heard they honor it.

[Gvt1911]

Don't know if you guys have tried these, but I use standard silicone "O" rings from McMaster Carr...Forgot what the trade sizes are for peanut and octal base tubes, but they are dirt cheap and work ! I have a GK low noise tester and after installing an "O" ring on the tube while in the tester, it did quiet the tube down a lot... I think they come 25pcs in pack for about $8.00 or so....
Just my 2 cents...

[BobM]

I stopped by Home Dopey last night and picked up a bunch of metal hose clamps. I got home and put them on my EL34 based amp, on both the large power tubes and the small driver and phase splitters. Overall the sound was very dull and uninvolving. It took the life out of the music.

I'll have to play a bit and see which tubes were most affected by this - probably the large power tubes. I may be going back to my silicon O-rings from McMaster Carr (as Gvt1911 mentioned).

Oh yeah - DO NOT tighten these clamps too much when installing. Put them on just enough to hold them in place. I inadvertantly cracked a phase splitter tube - lucky I had another exact replacement on hand. Thank God it wasn't one of the big ones.



Enjoy,
Bob

[BobM]

I pulled the metal bands off the EL34's this weekend and that cured the overall lack of life problem. I left all the other small tubes damped by the bands, including the ones in my Coronet phono stage. I didn't do a big swap back and forth, but I can say that everything was sounding tight and musical.

The cable clamps sounds like a good, inexpensive alternative to the name brand expensive tube dampers. Just BE CAREFUL NOT TO TIGHTEN THEM TOO MUCH. They will break the glass. Only get them snug enough to hold themselves on.

If you're not comfortable with things mechanical, or if you don't trust yourself with those $100/each Bugleboys, then stick with the teflon O-rings or buy the Herbies stuff.

Enjoy,
Bob

[Eduardo AAVM]

Herbie´s work fine...

If you wish to try before buy anything, wet some teflon tape (for plumber use) and roll some of it around your tubes...

Not the same but maybe you can get an idea how Mapleshade´s or Herbie´s products perform

[marvda1]

i had a package of water hose washers some flat round and some tubular round like the teflon rings you can buy.  they made a big improvement in the sound.  i now have some herbie's on order since i don't know how the rubber of the hose washers will hold up.

[chrisl]

I just got Herbies black PEEK tube dampers and I found them to be real effective.  The bass tightened up, a bit more midrange and air in upper frequencies.  Didn't try the Mapleshade ones though.