Tube temperature for ARC Ref 6

I use Ultra Sonic tube dampers on all the small signal tubes with great results; most noticeable is tighter bass.

  The reason not to use dampers on 6550's or other power tubes is to allow the tubes to present harmonics and overtones. New production power tubes are low in microphonics and don't need damping. However, I can see how a damper might be needed for some NOS tubes.

theo.....Thanks for that great info....Very helpful. I really would of thought those tubes would of ran alot hotter.                                                                 theo.... folkfreak......lowrider57.......I guess there will always be some kind of debate as to wether Herbies dampers improve the sound as to stock ARC dampers. I guess you really have to try them yourself and see if your ears hear a difference. At  about $250 for dampers is quite alot. At least Herbies has a 30 day money back guarantee. So with that said, i am curious to see or hear for myself. 

I recently put Herbies Ultra Sonic tube dampers on all the tubes in my REF6.  Unfortunately, I can't tell you what difference they made, as it occurred at the same time as the installation of a new set of tubes from ARC, plus pasting the tube pins and back panel connectors with Total Contact.  It all sounded much better when re-inserted into the system.

 Everything seems slightly more solid with more air as I remember. It has been quite awhile. I know people that have put them on 6550 tubes but I have not. tried  Only you can decide if they are worth the cost..

tattooedtrackman, I may have mislead you some. My temp reading with an infrared thermometer was thru the top cover and not directly on the surface of the tube. So the surface temp maybe higher and I am sure it is. And my highest readings were the 6550, and also were indicative of the amount of cooling I gained. The 6550 does run a lot hotter than th 6H30, which I am sure is some of the motive to replace them at 2000 hours instead of 4000 on the 6H30.