Tube dampeners on ARC gear ... FREE TWEAK

Hi, oddeophile ...

According to the directions that come along with the Herbies dampeners, they should be placed about a third of the way down the tube. That's what I did, and it worked very well. 

Frank

Hi Frank

So you didn't follow the all the way up to the top of the tube placement like the ARC rings?  Did you try them there?

FWIW on all the RX rings I have in my system I've never found the 1/3 placement to be optimum. On my amp on all four 12AX7s exactly one and a half inches from
the bottom of the tube which is almost to the top of the 12AX7. On all 12 KT77 tubes right at the getters and same with the 6550 tubes in my Ref 40. 
ARC recommends damping placement all the way to the top of the 6H30 tubes. I've not put the Herbies I have had now for well over a year on my 6H30 tubes mainly due to my disability. 
FWIW You might try the top of the tube placement and see if you have improved sonics with your RX dampers there. The 1/3 placement is just a starting point Herbies recommends. The vast majority find differing placements are superior. 
Just thoughts. 
All the best
Richard 

A couple tips for Herbies tube dampers. For tubes like 6SN7s the damper should go where the getter is located so for top getters that means near the top of the tube. Also, for tubes with bases like 6SN7s, etc. a second damper on the base will improve upon the one on the glass.

^^^  Guys .... thanks for the tips on placement. I'll give it a shot later today and see what happens. The Herbies dampeners have been a wonderful upgrade to the system ... but we can always use more of the same. *lol*

Frank

By the way, talking about "Herbies," have any of you tried the "Black Hole" CD dampening mat? Its the little one that just covers the inner circle of the top of the CD.  I've read some good reviews on it. 

Frank