Tube dampers... wow

[elmoe]

I just bought three of the Nickel Alloy dampers for my MPX3, hope these will work well, killer price for sure

 

[Jahn]

I've got herbies on my Melos' tubes and my Melos has really settled into a great groove - and no microphonics!

 

[MonkeyMan]

I ordered a set of three HAL-O 9X for my new Raptor. This extreme temperature version is recommended for the two 5687 output tubes. Although a standard HAL-O 9 would have been sufficient for the 12AU7, I decided to get a matching set of three all the same.

I've finally settled on a NOS tubeset to try out:

- One (1) Siemens 5814A / 12AU7
- Two (2) Tung-Sol 5687

These are the Tube Depot specs:

- Gold Noise Grade: (-8 dB)
- Gain Match: (-0 dB)
- Microphonic Test: (Output Level = LOWEST / Ring Down = FASTEST)
- Plate Current: (EXACT matching between Sec. 1 & Sec. 2)
- Transconductance: (EXACT matching between Sec. 1 & Sec. 2)
- Sec. 1/Sec. 2 Balance: (Idle DC +/- 1%) / (Dynamic +/- .1 dB)

 

[MikeW]

Mine came in today.. hehe good thing about living 100 miles from Ciblo texas I guess

overnite delivery for 3 bucks! I can pretty much mirror the original posters findings, better bass, clairty, and the high's are a bit refined as well. It's not a huge change, but it's noticeable, worthwhile for 20 bucks? Definatly.

 

[eyeteeth]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Salt Peanuts Dang, those Duende Criatura dampeners are expensive.

If you pick the more expensive Herbie materials option per pair for a 12AX7/ECC83 (me) it narrows the gap: $25.96 vs $35.95. $10 a pair more ain't a big deal.
If space is an issue the Criatura look to fit better. I haven't looked inside with that issue in mind though.

Herbie

Criatura

That the Tube Store is less than an hour's drive from me and on my side of the Canuck/Yank border, and I was going to order some tubes from them anyway, I'll probably save some time and money ordering the Duende Criatura as well. They make the claim to lower the temp of the tube, extending it's life, but I'm not sure that that's true.

I think I've done a decent job of rationalizing getting the more expensive rings for myself.

 

[Patrick82]

I use Duende Criatura around my Mullard CV4003/12AU7 tubes. The more controlled bass is definitely worth the price for these tube rings.
Also try QuickSilver Contact Enhancer for the tube pins.

I used to hate tubes, but after doing both of these tweaks it made me love tubes.

 

[MikeW]

now that i've spent more time with these, I tried them on a different set of tubes, and the differnce was even more obvious. Truely a great value, and their performance will always vary depending on what tubes your using. Somtimes it may be small, other times it can be quite signifigant.

 

[edisonwu]

Anyone knows how this is gonna work?

 

[Vertigo-1]

Bought a trio of the Hal-O 9x high temps for the Raptor. My experience so far mirrors the general concensus. Highs become clearer and more focused, a little brighter overall (not necessarily a good thing to me), not much of a change in the midrange, bass tightens and is less flabby. Headstage seems to be a bit fuller, more 3D if you will as what you hear between your ears sort of gets fleshed out a bit more. Imaging is a little sharper.

I can kind of see now why some people argue against such dampening on tubes and to just let tubes do their natural thing. The dampeners seem to add typical "hi-fi" attributes to the normally mellow and musical realm of tubes. I think maybe putting 3 on the Raptor is overkill, they're probably best used on the 5687 tubes, the 12AU7 should maybe just be left alone.

 

[elmoe]

Received my dampers today, will try to give a small review when ive put enough hours on them

 

[edisonwu]

nice to see it,

 

[mrarroyo]

I found it interesting that so far no-one had posted a picture of the dampers on their rig. So here is mine: http://xs.to/xs.php?f=DSCN0362.JPG&h=xs63&d=06022

Perhaps I put one to many, but what the heck. It is only money

 

[Patrick82]

 

[MikeW]

Fighting out of the left corner, we have undefeated 32 time world champion, Ruuuuuuuuuuuuubber Matt Guy!

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrarroyo I found it interesting that so far no-one had posted a picture of the dampers on their rig. So here is mine: http://xs.to/xs.php?f=DSCN0362.JPG&h=xs63&d=06022 Perhaps I put one to many, but what the heck. It is only money