omg silicone tube rings really work!

organ

I've always been skeptical when it comes to these rings but decided to give them a try and ordered some off ebay. 2 rings on each tube right where the mica meets the glass. I've got four 6SN7, two 6SL7, one 12AX7 and four 12AU7 done and it really did improve the sound. I've been listening to them for the last 2 days.

I have a Telefunken smooth plate X7 that became microphonic and ended up being too shouty and bright. I had to stop using it. Now it sounds fabulous with the rings and is back in action in my pre. It's amazing how much more bass I'm getting now.

And, here's another really interesting part. Normally, I like to listen with my pre's volume setting at 9'o clock. When I really want to rock out, I move up to the 10'o clock position. Now, it's actually too loud there and I rock out at the 9 position. It's not that the overall volume got louder. The nominal volume of the songs are the same, but the peaks really came to life. I can clearly hear how some music starts low and just keeps building up until the end. I was listening to IL Divo's "I Believe in You" (duet with Celine Dion) and the power is unbelievable. It just kept building up until the climax.

Improvement is all across the freq range. Even the soundstage and imaging improved.

So you tube heads should try the rings before you order more tubes to roll. They're VERY cheap. I got mine off ebay. This is by far, one of the cheapest and most effective tweak.

Ricardo

Interesting...never gave much attention those rings...I guess I'll have to give them a try...

Emlyn

I've used the Herbie's Halo dampers. They definately work, and are worth a try. However, with multi-tube gear, I found they may dampen the sound too much. I use them on the front four signal tubes in the SF Line 3, and they are beneficial there. Used on the back eight power regulation tubes, they stifled the sound somehow, so I just use them on the front four.

Early B.

Dammit! Another tweak to try...

fredv

Yes, I was very surprised when I saw them working the first time!!! My AI L-1 is very sensitive to any imperfection of the tubes (6922 family), in particualr, microphonic. To make a long story, the little silicon rings savage almost 1/3 of the tubes from totally unusable to I can live to them if I run out of tube. Since then, I purchased enough to cover all the tubes that are in active duty. BTW, did you order from Sam, an ebayer from Canada?

ohskigod

I've used them in my pre for a while, definitly helped some tube noise issues (mild ones, but annoying nonetheless) never got aroung to getting them for my tube amp, I really should though

dkg999

I was a little surprised that I thought I heard a difference when I put the tube rings on my CDP and pre. Now that you all think you heard a difference I guess I can come out of the closet on this

organ

Emlyn,
Have you compared the Halo's to the normal silicone rings? I want to give them a try but want to make sure it's worth the asking price. They even have different lines of dampers.
Funny you mentioned that. The first thing I noticed was a darkening of the sound. Blacker background maybe? But the HF extension didn't suffer.

Fred,
Yeah, these things really help with microphonics. Can't wait to try them on the 6922/6DJ8 on the GTA.
Yes, I got them from Sam. Fast shipping.

Oshkigod,
I don't have them on the power tubes though. Just on the drivers on my amp. The 6C33 is an unusual tube and I'm going to start looking for some that will fit them.

dkg,
When the rings were on their way, I was doing some reading on them and the explanation makes sense. These things add a little more weight to the tube and puts tension on the glass. It pretty much changes the tube's resonant frequency.

HTR, EarlyB,
Go buy them rings;).

Ricardo

I just placed an order; so cheap that it's a no brainer....

Emlyn

I have some of the silicone rings but found them to be useful only for microphonic tubes, which I got rid of anyway. The Halo's seem to do more, but I think the results with those vary from gear to gear. Some may not like the results. Another to consider, but more expensive, is the Pearl Tube Cooler (metal fins over a fiber coat held in place by silicon rings), which is probably a good idea for high priced NOS tubes that are in gear designed to run hot. They make tubes last longer, but can be difficult to fit in between tubes and capacitors. Again though, results will vary from gear to gear as far as sound changes are concerned.

ND13

I'd need about 2 1/2 dozen of various sizes to cover all my tubes that are actually inline.:rolleyes: :cool:

schwarcw

How about a link to "Sam" on eBay?

fredv

http://electronics.search.ebay.com/_Vintage-Electronics_W0QQcatrefZC12QQfsooZ1QQfsopZ1QQsacatZ14998QQsassZmrQ2eresenter
are all the dampers that Sam has listed for now.

organ

HTR,
Cool. Let us know how it works out in your gear.

Emlyn,m
Thanks for the help and info on the tube coolers. Not sure if I'm ready for the more exotic stuff yet. But I'll keep them in mind when I'm ready. Another one is Duende Criatura rings made of teflon available from thetubestore.com Price is still a little high. I'll probably try a pair for my power tubes.

Noel,
It's all good. You can just start with a few on your source and pre or whereever you may have high gain stages which can be prone to microphonics.

marvda1

has anyone tried these mapleshade brass tube dampers?
http://www.mapleshaderecords.com/audioproducts/tubeanchors.php