E.A.R. 834P

I have heard about using the sst on the pins. Just be careful to put it only where you want it, it is very conductive.

As for dampener, check out Herbies.

www.herbiesaudiolabs.com

I was skeptical, but they do work and Steve is a great person to deal with. YOu can trust his recommendation.

I think the new issue JJ Tesla is a very good tube. Also the new Tung Sol and Sovtek LPS. None are more than $20 and probably less. Just get them selected for low noise. I don't think it is necessary to pay for matching with the 834P, but I could be wrong here. IME it really doesn't pay to spend big dollars on rare NOS tubes unless you have really deep pockets or some special vintage equipment.

Herbies Halos are the ones I use one all my tube gear inlcuding phono stage. These have an excellent reputation. There are also tube rings of various shapes and materials, such as rubber, brass, or silicon.

by luck i did a web search and after a lot of choices for a tube ring i went with herbies hal 0 9 peek ring for the three tubes in the 834p, thanks for the tip with the sst it is a real conductor, i am a elevator mechanic and have used it a couple of times on elevators for good contac on relays,