2. amps-preamps
  3. 1171816839

Tube dampers?

My system consist of Shanling STP 80 and T200 cd player, I have been looking around for tube dampers and I found some o-rings and other types of dampers, dont know which ones will work better for my setup since my El 34 electro harmonix and WE 396A/GE 5670W have a metal type cage around them so I dont know if I will have enough room to play with when it comes to tube dampers. I did look into Brass, O-Ring and Herbies type of dampers however I dont know much about any of them. Any advise?

I've heard about ARC, Herbies, Mapleshade and other vendors, some cheap and some $$$ If you recommend a product please please provide me with a link so I can lookup the information. Not looking to break the bank but do some worthwhile improvements.

Thanks, Robert
chgolatin2
loki1957's avatar
loki1957
122 posts
 
I tried using O rings on my pre. Didn't notice any change. After a while the tubes started to make a ringing sound so I removed them. I think I'll try some teflon tape as I have some on hand.
imispgh
31 posts
 
Doesn't the tape hold heat in?
malbor
22 posts
 
This is the first time I've tried any kind of tube damping.
I bought some Duende Criatura tube rings. for MY JD100 AND
DK VS1. It's an amazing diference in detail and bass control.I'm hearing things that i didn't hear before.
johnmcalpin
58 posts
 
I have giant brass dampers on my 6SN7s for my preamp. Got them from Andy at VTS. I haven't seen them on his Web site for a while, however.

I won't use the preamp without them. They give amazing heft to the image, and clarity in the low end.

I'm using Herbies on my 12au7 and 12ax7 signal tubes in the power amp. Not as dramatic a change as the preamp tube dampers, but I haven't taken them out yet.

I recall a small brass version from Andy for the signal tubes but haven't seen them either.
garyb6
25 posts
 
I was using some NO$ Amperex HOlland and American version 7308's but have recently switched to NOS Russian with Herbies HAL-0 9s. In my system I prefer the latter, better extension and presence than the Amperex. I wish I had tried this before spending hundreds on tubes. YMMV
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