Tube Dampers

kirch · « **on:** 16 Jan 2007, 01:42 am »

Any of you guys use these things (http://herbiesaudiolab.home.att.net/haloii.htm) or something like them? Do they do anything sonically? I know what they claim to do, but I'm looking for feedback from those who've tried tube dampers. I notice not many people even sell them, which makes me think they may not be that great.

Thanks!

Kirch

jrokke · « **Reply #1 on:** 16 Jan 2007, 02:23 am »

I have them on all my tubes in my integrated amp. I am sold on them (the herbies). I even have the cheapest kind you can get from him and the work great. Better focus of images, tighter bass. When I take them off my system sounds thinner. I also have his gabon ebony half dome footers under my cd player and it wakes it up, same thing--more exteded and more focused. Steve is a really nice easy guy to deal with. Good reasonable prices too. just my opinion but I like them and would miss them if I didn't have them

F-100 · « **Reply #2 on:** 16 Jan 2007, 03:16 am »

I'm currently using these tube dampers that I got from Ebay on the tubes in my preamp and DAC...

http://cgi.ebay.com/8-TUBE-AMP-PREAMP-DAMPERS-12AX7-12AU7-ECC83-EL84-6922_W0QQitemZ220071503567QQihZ012QQcategoryZ64629QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

and to be honest, I can't tell if they really improve the sound.

But the good thing is they only cost a few buck... Thanks goodness.

electricbear · « **Reply #3 on:** 16 Jan 2007, 09:54 pm »

I personally haven't tried these but I'm sure they will make a difference. It's not like they are expensive, they look cool and will give you that geek factor. You're not a true audiophile unless you have strange things like these in your system. If I'm not mistaken Mike D had something like these on his amps at one time. Mike Lafs has them on his VTL monoblocks. I'd buy them no problems.

arthurs · « **Reply #4 on:** 16 Jan 2007, 10:01 pm »

I've used Herbie's and found that with some tubes and some applications they make a difference, and with others very little. As said before Steve is great to work with and they offer a 90 day trial period, why not get some and see what you think?

Mike D · « **Reply #5 on:** 17 Jan 2007, 08:27 pm »

I used to have herbies. Then the doc gave me soume pills.

The herbie's hal-o are great because they do not deaden the sound like other dampers I've tried. They allow the sound stage to remain open while cleaning up a bit of the dirt. In turn, the center voice is clearer and the width of the stage appears wider.

A fun thing to try is to role them from the top of the tubes to the bottom and again to the top. You may hear differences based on where the dampers are placed on the tube. Scott F, Steve K, and I played around with placement of the dampers and agreed that we heard differences. The differences were most obvious with EL-34s power tubes followed by 12 series driver tubes.

Soundbitten · « **Reply #6 on:** 17 Jan 2007, 11:59 pm »

I got Herbies for Xmas for my preamp and tube dac . Right away I noticed more resolution , clarity and smoothness . These are in my system to stay . I got the Hal-O III Bass Boosters .

kirch · « **Reply #7 on:** 18 Jan 2007, 12:36 am »

Hmmmm - looks like I have some Herbies in my future. You guys think it's more important on the Amp EL34's or the little preamp tubes? ~ and thanks for the feedback!

carusoracer · « **Reply #8 on:** 18 Jan 2007, 02:42 am »

I have used Herbie Halo's for a year and half with great success. You really do not know how much they are doing until you listen to the same tracks with out them. Better extension, more clarity, and increased soundstage.

Absolutely experiment with tube placement from top to bottom. It is always personal preference but I have never placed the ring more than half way down.
excellent Company and owner to deal with...Fast shipping

SET Man · « **Reply #9 on:** 18 Jan 2007, 03:06 am »

Hey!

I have 2 of the Herbie's dampers on my 12AU7s in the line stage section of my Audio Note M1 pre. Yup, they do work just like others says.

They don't look like much. Simple yet effective. No hype or BS here. For the price these things are a bargain for tube user.

I only put them about 1/3 down the 12AU7 tubes. Never got around to buy more for other tube in my system (12AX7, 6EM7, and KR Audio 842VHD) Hmmm.... not sure if more is better. It could be too much of a good thing

Take care,
Buddy

kirch · « **Reply #10 on:** 18 Jan 2007, 01:06 pm »

I ordered four for my EL34s. After I receive them, I'll post again with my impressions.

And don't ANYONE tell me there's a "break in" period for these!!!

Scott F. · « **Reply #11 on:** 18 Jan 2007, 02:59 pm »

...well, the argument could be made that when the high temp silicone is cold (and hard) that it doesn't absorb the vibrations in the same manner as it does when it's been on the tube for a while and hot (and softer).

Would it be audible?.....maybe, but you'd probably be a good candidate for therapy if you were really concerned about the difference in sound.

kirch · « **Reply #12 on:** 18 Jan 2007, 03:27 pm »

I think I'm already a good candidate for therapy.

NotoriousBIG_PJ · « **Reply #13 on:** 18 Jan 2007, 03:52 pm »

Quote from: Mike D on 17 Jan 2007, 08:27 pm

The differences were most obvious with EL-34s power tubes followed by 12 series driver tubes.

What position did you like the dampeners on your el34's the best?

Thanks,

Biggie.

BobM · « **Reply #14 on:** 18 Jan 2007, 04:05 pm »

Just some FYI on a comparison I did about a month or two ago. Mapleshade has some tweaks on their website. One of them suggests using regular, screw to tighten, hose clamps on tubes as dampers - in lieu of their solid brass wrap around tube dampers. Well, I figured it was worth a shot since they're very inexpensive. A big word of warning here - definitely, definitely, DEFINITELY do not tighten these too much or you WILL crack the tube. I did on one of my small signal tubes. Lucky for me I tried this out on a cheap Sovtek first.

Well, the most noticeable change was on my EL34's. They lost all life and sparkle. The clamps came off quick. I left them on the small driver and phase splitter tubes for a while, but went back to my DIY Herbies a couple of weeks later. Very little difference there, but I think either method did help improve things more or less the same on the driver tubes in the amp.

I left a clamp on the power rectification tube in my phono stage, more because I didn't have anything else large enough to fit it than because the clamp was best.

Good luck,
Bob

steve k · « **Reply #15 on:** 18 Jan 2007, 04:47 pm »

Quote

What position did you like the dampeners on your el34's the best?

In my opinion they sound best around the top mica plate. I'm using them in three EL34 amps.
steve k

kirch · « **Reply #16 on:** 23 Jan 2007, 07:25 pm »

Okay, I've had the HAL-O nickel tube dampers from Herbies in place for a couple days now. Let me give you my humble opinion of the dramatic affect they've had in the sound of my system:

Another $55 bucks out the window that I could have spent on beer, or (gasp) shoes for my daughter. In other words, I haven't noticed anything (yet).

I'm still trying different postions on the tube, the top, middle, bottom, upper top portion, just a few hairs below dead center, 1/4 inch below center, 1/4 above center, I think you get the picture. I'll be putting them in my pants next to see if that might help - I might even wait for them to cool off first, then again, maybe not.

In all fairness though, I've recently added the Music Hall CD 25.2 (Underwood level 1+ mod )to my system and that damned thing sounds so good - adding some tube dampers to what I already considered about as close to musically orgasmic as I think I can get, I don't know . . .

I've finally come to the conclusion that it's the sum of all the parts that are adding, (albeit minute in certain instances, e.g. said tube dampers) to my overall enjoyment (duh!). And I guess for 55 bucks, it was a lot of fun to 1) read up on and research them, 2) get input from my fellow audioholics at AudioCircle, 3) await in eager anticipation, 4) put the widgets on and hope for some sort of improvement, and 5) post this note. Not bad for 55 bucks, eh?

~ Plus I get an opportunity to use the stupid dancing banana. He'd look better with a couple tube dampers on him though.

DeadFish · « **Reply #17 on:** 23 Jan 2007, 08:00 pm »

Quote from: kirch on 23 Jan 2007, 07:25 pm

~ Plus I get an opportunity to use the stupid dancing banana. He'd look better with a couple tube dampers on him though.

Well, you gave me a chuckle with this! I think you are right.

I have to think, sometimes, that chasing the last bit of musicality or resolution can be frustrating as heck, oft-times running over old ground. For example, tweaks like tube dampners, vibrapods, a/c cables...might give up the same kind of benefits required to flesh out our systems, but not necesarilly together. Make'n any sense?
I'm hammering at the same thing playing with cables, and sometimes wondering if I am getting anywhere.

My suggestion would be to put the tube dampners in the most-likely place (as in everyone's best suggestion where) and leave them there for a some days.
Then, when you are well rested, sit down for some listening and remove them.

I did this with Vibrapods and got the message clearer than when I put them in.

Oh, and BTW, the tube dampners when inserted into my pants did plenty to dampen my love-life as my wife don't like 'speed bumps.'

Thanks for the smile. I was taking a required break from my system that was producing NO sound, in spite of changing amps and sources, and at least I have a smile to calm me.

Good luck!

Bill

kirch · « **Reply #18 on:** 23 Jan 2007, 08:40 pm »

Good suggestions - thanks Bill - and no, my wife didn't care for the dampers either, but she really digs the vibrapods!

bmed · « **Reply #19 on:** 23 Jan 2007, 08:56 pm »

Hey Deadfish,

Were you using the HALO-7's in your pants? I find that the HALO-100's are a better fit for me!!!!