Tube Dampers..Anyone Use Them??????

[Alan G]

Hello,
I am new to the world of tube amps but I took the plunge with a used JoLida. I have seen places advertise tube dampers that claim to improve fidelity. Does anyone have any experience with these products? Thanks for any input.

AlanG

[cunningham]

I use Herbie's stuff. They did tighten up the sound.

[tomcat]

I also ordered at Herbie's (http://herbiesaudiolab.home.att.net/). His delivery service is impeccable and my HAL-O 9-ers work fine in my Pre.
Greetings
Thomas

[TimB]

For input tubes, I use a really expensive dampers, garden hose washers! You can get them at Home Depot 10 for abot $2.00. They work well on my 6922 tubes, they do melt a touch at first, use them 1 or 2 per tube. When the tube is pitched, the dampers go in the trash with the tube. These really reduced the microphonics of the 6922 tubes!

[efhjr]

I use high-temperature silicon tube damper o-rings on the signal tubes in my McIntosh MC30 amps. They did noticeably tighten the sound -- the highs became cleaner.

They didn't cost much, about $20, and it was worth the money. And they don't melt on the tubes either.

[KeithH]

I received tube dampers with my Ah! Njoe Tjoeb 4000 CD player, but I have never used them. I am using Siemens 7308 tubes, which are better than the stock Philips 6922s, but the sound can still be a bit on the harsh side. I wonder if the tube dampers would help. The thing is, there are other upgrades for the Ah! that may yield a bigger benefit, although at a significantly higher cost. I am talking about a new power cord or upgraded internal DAC.

[Steve Hoffman]

Just slip those tube condoms on and see what happens.


What 'cha waiting for?

[Gary]

I have a set too, Steve. Herbies. Why am I waiting?

Well I'm still trying to find the perfect interconnect for the MC 110 and 240. It's driving me nuts! After I do that, I'll play with .... uhhh.... tube thingies. :p

Can you recommend any "store bought" interconnects? I'm thinking I'd try some Cardas neutral reference.... recommended by a high end store that seems to know their business. A tad pricy, though.... :(

[efhjr]

Originally posted by Gary
I have a set too, Steve. Herbies. Why am I waiting?

Well I'm still trying to find the perfect interconnect for the MC 110 and 240. It's driving me nuts! After I do that, I'll play with .... uhhh.... tube thingies. :p


I use DNM Reson interconnects with Eichman Bullet Plugs on my MC30s and am very happy with them.

[KeithH]

Steve, O.K., O.K. I'll give them a try. Do you just put one on per tube?

[Steve Hoffman]

Of course. Just slip it on, warm the amp up by playing non-critical music for an hour and then give a listen.

Maybe it will make a difference, maybe it won't. Should keep things cooler in there though.

Do I use them? No. Why? I like to look at glowing tubes; half the fun of having tube gear!

[herbelin]

Hi Steve; you haven't tried the HAL-O Damping Instruments. With them, you can still see your tubes glow, they don't require warm-up period, and they perform much better than ordinary tube dampers.

If you'd like to try them, just let me know and I'll gladly turn you on to a complimentary set.

Warm regards,

Steve Herbelin
herbelin@worldnet.att.net

[Steve Hoffman]

I'd love to, thanks.

[KeithH]

Steve, thanks. First, I would be using dampers for a tube CD player. The tubes are inside the chassis, so I can't see them glow. :( Secondly, these dampers are O-rings, they are not full covers that would blocks one's view of the tubes. The reason I asked about using one or more than one is that one could certainly slip more than one O-ring on each tube. Sorry I did not specify the type of damper I have.

[Steve Hoffman]

In a CD player? Might do some good in there to stop vibrations from the mechanisim going out the tube and into your system.

Try it now!

[Metralla]

Originally posted by herbelin
If you'd like to try them, just let me know and I'll gladly turn you on to a complimentary set.

Herbie,

I don't think you make one big enough for the 833 transmitting triode! Even the one you make for the 1610 (diameter 3 1/2" to 4 1/4") may not be big enough for that monster.

I think Steve said he was currently listening to the HE-805, and I'm sure you can accomodate the 805 tubes in this amp. This is a picture of the stereo version - I think this is the one Steve has, rather than the MD-805m monos. Steve?

http://www.wavac-audio.gr.jp/pics/805.jpg

Herbie, I sent in an order on Friday for a bunch of your Vacuum Tube Damping Instruments to go on Welborne Labs Laurels and a BAT VK-50SE, plus some for the XLRs I use. I'm really looking forward to trying them out.

Regards,
Geoff

[Steve Hoffman]

http://herbiesaudiolab.home.att.net/

Check out the Herbie's Audio Lab website.

Read about the HAL-O Vacuum Tube Damping Instruments.

Looks promising.

[herbelin]

Geoff: The HAL-O T-1610 fits 833 tubes (about 4 9/16" diameter). The damping instrument has lots of flex to it, and the "C"-shaped ring will spread open plenty and get a nice grip on this tube. I can't say for certain how much the 833s would benefit from damping instruments, but Kronzilla T-1610 users have been very happy with the results (as have those using 805 tubes).

Herbie

[KeithH]

Steve, thanks again. I'll certainly give them a try.

[Metralla]

Originally posted by herbelin
The HAL-O T-1610 fits 833 tubes (about 4 9/16" diameter). The damping instrument has lots of flex to it, and the "C"-shaped ring will spread open plenty and get a nice grip on this tube.

Thanks mate.

Regards,
Geoff