Do tube dampers really work?


Tube dampers are relatively cheap; but will they REALLY improve the sound of my Audible Illusions preamp?
rockyboy
I'm using Mapleshade tube anchors on both my SuperIT phono stage and my CJ Premier 14 line stage. They're a pain in the neck to install but they REALLY improved the sound of my system.
Most definitely yes, but it does take some experimentation
to find the best items for a given system.
A friend of mine, who is a tube seller in Germany, test the Herbie's tube dampers in his own designed microphonic tester. He recorded a max of 6dB of microphonic level being reduced on a E88CC tube with the Herbie dampers.
Yes but you also have to add a weight to the top of the tube. There were a few companies selling these a few years back but you can make your own by going to the arts and craft store and buying some lead ribbon and making a little circle to fit on top of your tubes. Cheap and effective.
Smacking the tubes while running is not an effective test of microphonics. Just a stupid thing to do.

-Ed