Anyone use tube dampers?

[jdandy]

I have been considering trying tube dampers on the 12AT7 tubes in my McIntosh MC2301 power amplifiers, and maybe on the 12AX7's in my C2300 preamp in the living room system, too. I have done a fair amount of web research, and there are two definite camps on whether tube dampers are beneficial or not.

The sellers of tube dampers claim that using them will eliminate microphonics that may be present in a tube, increasing sonic detail and clarity. Some users are also saying that tube dampers have improved focus and detail in their sound systems.

The other camp says tube dampers are snake oil, and a waste of money, that they do nothing to remove microphonics in a tube, that nothing on the outside of a tube's glass envelope will affect what's going on inside the tube.

The tube dampers that interest me are the Herbie's Tube Dampers. It is difficult to make a clear determination about their performance from what I have read. Obviously an actual test on tubes in my amplifiers would provide a definitive answer, but it may also prove that I can waste $120.00 as quick as the next guy. Then there are the tube rings like Tube Depot sells for $0.50 each that they claim are an alternative to expensive tube dampers, and supposedly reduce noise and microphonics.

I don't believe any of my small tubes are microphonic. I hear no abnormal ringing or other noise coming from my speakers, so maybe tube dampers are a needless cure for a nonexistent problem. Heck, I don't know, but you can't blame me for being an insane audio enthusiast who's trying to find another ounce of improvement in my system.

I thought I would float the question here to see what others have to say, and in particular what tube damper users find positive about them.


Herbie's Tube Damper



Tube Depot Damper Rings

[vintage_tube]

Nope -- primarilly because (1) they really don't get very hot and thermonics aren't in play (2) tubes in McIntosh amps aren't stressed to the degree those same tubes are in other amps, i.e., in McIntosh amps are on cruise control verses running flat out and (3) have to stop somewhere & the line is drawn just before tube dampners.

Best

Bob

[GaryProtein]

Originally Posted by vintage_tube

Nope -- primarilly because (1) they really don't get very hot and thermonics aren't in play (2) tubes in McIntosh amps aren't stressed to the degree those same tubes are in other amps, i.e., in McIntosh amps are on cruise control verses running flat out and (3) have to stop somewhere & the line is drawn just before tube dampners.

Best

Bob

Geeze, and you call yourself an audiophile.

You should be ashamed!

[vintage_tube]

Originally Posted by GaryProtein

Geeze, and you call yourself an audiophile.

Gary, I don't have a dedicated phone.

Bob

[GaryProtein]

Originally Posted by vintage_tube

Gary, I don't have a dedicated phone.

Bob

dedicated phone?

I'm missing something here.

[Masterlu]

Dan... I bought a bunch of the real pretty ones from EAT only to find they wouldn't fit on the tubes they were supposed to.

So my tubes are all running nude.

[GaryProtein]

Ivan, just make sure you don't post any risque photos of them.

[JJinID]

Dan - I've been considering trying out the Herbie's tube dampeners also, but haven't done so as of yet. I might do so shortly. I will be interested in your thoughts (as always) if you do give them a shot...

[vintage_tube]

Originally Posted by GaryProtein

dedicated phone?

I'm missing something here.

You asked if I called myself (an audiophile).

Put the McIntosh hat back on.

Get it?

Bob

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by GaryProtein

Ivan, just make sure you don't post any risque photos of them.