6922 Tubes!

Wiki says that cryo treatment of "metals" occurs at temperatures less than -190 degrees C or -320 degrees F.  N liquifies at -195 C/-320F.  At temps below -210 C/-346 F, LN freezes.

So, it does appear that the benefits of cryo treatment can be achieved at temperatures "around" where N vapor becomes LN.  Nothing on the internet about home refrigerator or freezer temperatures, however.

lewm
5,221 posts
01-19-2017 10:30am
Geoff, Is your information about the putative benefits of refrigerator and home freezer temperatures based on real world direct experience or on what you have read elsewhere? Back when I did some reading on the physical effects of cryo treatment, it seems to me the papers I could access state that there is no effect unless you go "all the way". And I even think liquid nitrogen is not technically cold enough, but I may be wrong on that last bit.

I was one of the very first in the US to use Cryo for audio applications and one of first to use the trusty home freezer for audio applications. Gee, there’s no info on the Internet? Imagine that.  I suppose folks could use liquid hydrogen or vapor which would colder but as I just intimated what's the point? Besides IIRC hydrogen has its risks, whereas nitrogen is relatively safe. But don't try this at home, kids.

Hi, geoffkait- "Besides IIRC hydrogen has its risks......"? I’d say you remember correctly, unless one intends to launch a Saturn rocket, or is planning a disaster. =8^) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_R7GoRcuDzA)

Purchased the chinook a couple Of Months Ago. I have the special edition which the only difference is that it comes with NOS Phillips ecc88 tubes. Let it break in and to my disappointment there was no definition in the mid bass. Everything else was amazing. Ordered a set of the stock tubes from Manley and everything fell into place .smooth detailed transparent expansive Soundstage. I am now a believer in using the tubes the designer voiced the piece with.