FLTWS
Headphoneus Supremus
I noticed that whenever I changed out a tube the socket saver had a tendency to come with the tube a bit but not fully. I then discovered that if I don't allow the tubes to cool down all the way to room temperature before removing, the heat keeps both the tubes metal pins and the pin receptacles in the Tubemongers expanded against each other a bit. I use dirt cheap, powder free, disposable yet re-usable in this case,surgical gloves which are very ""grippy" on the glass tube and "gently" rock and rotate both the tube and socket saver. Once one is removed you can slip your finger in to help remove the remaining one. I suspect that one of the metal cleaning/lubricating fluids for the pins and sockets might make the overall process easier.
One of the truly knowledgeable tube guru's here on Head-Fi posted a while back to place a length of dental floss, (un-waxed probably would be best to keep any heat melted goop off the socket and tubes) or a sturdy gauge sewing thread, under the socket saver before installing, using enough length on each tail end to grab and pull up on. Brilliant in its simplicity, but maybe not so aesthetically pleasing.
I wish Schiit had designed the cage area as removable, but of course that would require extra cost to do it properly, might have an effect on the sturdiness/rigidity of the over design of the case, and the grills contact points could, I guess, become a spot where subtle vibration affects could be induced to the case. A cubed cage sitting on top could also induce issues and make proper shipping packaging a pita to deal with. A larger opening for the tubes could be a help.
And how to attach the removable grill? Nuts and washers are out. A tack-welded threaded washer? Threaded holes in the case? Magnets? Some sort of pressure fitted male to female metal work. They all have some big drawbacks to my way of thinking.
A tool specific to this task would be the best solution.
I'm going to continue without the socket savers for a while just too see how it goes, the less points of contact in a circuit the better, right?
The tubes are better protected down in the case (kinda' reminds me of "Whack-a-Mole"). And, at $300.00 to $500.00 a pair for some top shelf, matched and massaged tubes, you want to protect them at all cost..
One of the truly knowledgeable tube guru's here on Head-Fi posted a while back to place a length of dental floss, (un-waxed probably would be best to keep any heat melted goop off the socket and tubes) or a sturdy gauge sewing thread, under the socket saver before installing, using enough length on each tail end to grab and pull up on. Brilliant in its simplicity, but maybe not so aesthetically pleasing.
I wish Schiit had designed the cage area as removable, but of course that would require extra cost to do it properly, might have an effect on the sturdiness/rigidity of the over design of the case, and the grills contact points could, I guess, become a spot where subtle vibration affects could be induced to the case. A cubed cage sitting on top could also induce issues and make proper shipping packaging a pita to deal with. A larger opening for the tubes could be a help.
And how to attach the removable grill? Nuts and washers are out. A tack-welded threaded washer? Threaded holes in the case? Magnets? Some sort of pressure fitted male to female metal work. They all have some big drawbacks to my way of thinking.
A tool specific to this task would be the best solution.
I'm going to continue without the socket savers for a while just too see how it goes, the less points of contact in a circuit the better, right?
The tubes are better protected down in the case (kinda' reminds me of "Whack-a-Mole"). And, at $300.00 to $500.00 a pair for some top shelf, matched and massaged tubes, you want to protect them at all cost..
