Do "Tube Rings" really work?

Sometimes a tiny bit of microphonics is not all bad (makes music sterile/lifeless with the rings). It may really depend on whether you have a microphonic problem. If not, then you'll may not notice anything with the rings. No different than those with clean AC power to start with find no benefit with AC filters; those with a very stable rack find no benefit with issolation devices; those with a well made CD player find to benefit from a separate jitter device; and so on.

I use Audio Research clear tube rings (the cheapest out there) and the signal seems cleaner and maybe a little sterile. I will take them off soon and listen some more. At the very least they are a tweek to be used when you have found your perfect system and just can not stop yourself from tweeking (like most of us). In other words do not bother unless you are done buying your main components.

Thanks guys...as always, you've been helpful. I don't think I have a microphonics problem, but as Philjolet says, it's something else to play with!!!

m-

I bougth a preamp with clear tube rings that had melted.Ended up having to replace a socket and cleaning all the tubes.

Audio Research installs tube dampers on its products from the factory, and that should tell you something. I've never had a damper melt, just get brittle, and I could always tell by ear when they hardened and needed to be replaced. The classic test is to tap one of your input tubes with the eraser end of a pencil while your system is on - if you can hear the ringing through your speakers (which will always be the case in my experience), put a damper on it.