Tubes, to damp or not to damp?

OP, do you think your tubes need damping or are you experimenting?

I’ve used Herbies dampers in the past on various components but I don’t seem to need them in my latest system. Currently there isn’t any benefit to damping.

@ hiendmmoe

Another vote for the Herbie’s tube dampers.

I purchased several pairs of the Herbie’s HAL O dampers back in 2005. I use them on 6922 signal tubes. The Herbie’s still look like new to this day. (Tubes are various manufacturers pairs of early to middle 1960s 6922/E88CC and 7308/E188CC tubes.)


As for placement of the Herbie’s on the tube. I first installed them where the general consensus, back then, was to install tube dampers at the top mica support or slightly above. I like you found it sucked some of the air/life from the music. I then experimented adjusting the placement of the Herbie’s on the glass envelope of the tube. The best place I found, for me, my system, was at the of the tube just before the fold of the tube.

Jim

George, that Silicone-Mouth-Gag looks pretty kinky!

Years ago I bought silicone O-rings at a marine supply store.  They are red and look just like those in your link.

They worked fine on driver tubes in a amp (open air, not enclosed) as well as tubes in preamps.

I may be imagining things but I seem to remember putting Tube Socks over my Quicksilver Mono Amp's output tubes.