Tube Dampers??

mmadden28
mmadden28 Posts: 4,283
edited October 2008 in Electronics
Caveat: I'm a tube newb....
Are tube dampers worth getting? Or are they hocus pocus?
If they serve a real purpose and are recommended, suggested brands or sources??

Only source I looked at so far is http://herbiesaudiolab.home.att.net/

Right now I only need two for my Dodd ELP.

Thanks
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HT:Onkyo 805, Emotiva XPA-5, Mitsu 52" 1080p DLP / polkaudio RTi12, CSIa6, FXi3, uPro4K
2-chnl : Pio DV-46AV (SACD), Dodd ELP, Emotiva XPA-1s, XPA-2, Odyssey Khartago, LSi9, SDA-SRS 2 :cool:, SB Duet, MSB & Monarchy DACs, Yamaha PX3 TT, SAE Tuner...
Pool: Atrium 60's/45's
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Comments

  • phipiper10
    phipiper10 Posts: 961
    edited October 2008
    I came to no "conclusive conclusions" after adding them to the 4 tubes in my pre and one in my CDP. I took no scientific approach and did not listen carefully for 2 hours before or after etc.

    They are relatively inexpensive and in theory I could see the benefit. In reality I can neither confirm or deny their worth except in my mind - they make me feel good.

    Now, if you wanted to talk about cables, I could offer a real opinion ;)
    Analog Source: Rega P3-24 Exact 2 w/GT delrin platter & Neo TT-PSU Digital Source: Lumin U2 w/Roon (NUC) DAC:T+A DAC 200 Phono Preamp: Rega Aria MK3 Preamp: Rogue RP-7 Amp: Infigo Method 6 Speakers: Joseph Audio Perspective 2, Audio Physic Tempo Plus Cables: Cardas Clear Reflection SC/IC, Shunyata PCs Misc: Shunyata Hydra Delta D6, VTI rack, GIK acoustic panels
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  • Dennis Gardner
    Dennis Gardner Posts: 4,861
    edited October 2008
    Microphonic tubes do exhibit less "ring", when using Herbies, but I decided that once I found a tube to become microphonic, I lost interest in keeping it in the system regardless of how much I could tame the ring. Bottom line with me was they could make a poor tube listenable, but simply listenable wasn't good enough for me, when rolling the tube out is so easy to do.

    In the world of tweakers, they do offer a sort of cool look.
    HT Optoma HD25 LV on 80" DIY Screen, Anthem MRX 300 Receiver, Pioneer Elite BDP 51FD Polk CS350LS, Polk SDA1C, Polk FX300, Polk RT55, Dual EBS Adire Shiva 320watt tuned to 17hz, ICs-DIY Twisted Prs, Speaker-Raymond Cable

    2 Channel Thorens TD 318 Grado ZF1, SACD/CD Marantz 8260, Soundstream/Krell DAC1, Audio Mirror PP1, Odyssey Stratos, ADS L-1290, ICs-DIY Twisted , Speaker-Raymond Cable
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 9,122
    edited October 2008
    Like with any damping tweak, it depends… Maybe at normal low listening SPL’s you won’t need them, but venture into higher dB ranges and you might find them beneficial. It works that way for me anyway… Also, some tubes are more microphonic than others. With the:

    90-day no-risk trial. If not satisfied, simply return your Herbie's Audio Lab product within 90 days for a full refund.

    You can always return them if you don’t receive any benefit.
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited October 2008
    Consider buying them more for the cool factor than anything else. Otherwise, the extra bucks can be better spent on a six-pac of your favorite beverage.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,576
    edited October 2008
    I like the Herbies brand of dampers and use them on all my tubes. I've had some vintage gear that I felt experienced a benefit but not much modern stuff. Not sure why but I don't really care....they're cheap.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • mmadden28
    mmadden28 Posts: 4,283
    edited October 2008
    Thanks all,
    Yeah I figured that they are low cost so relatively low risk. A couple tubes (or pairs) I have seem to be ringing as microphonic-I flick them and I can hear ringing in the speakers.
    I haven't rolled much, but like Dennis, I'd probably be more prone to just replacing the tubes.
    For $30 I'm not likely to return them even if they were useless-I'm bad like that-I think more money would have to be involved.

    I think I'll pick up a pair of Herbies, to see if it tames the microphonics and if for nothing else the 'cool factor' and to see for myself what level of improvement they might have.

    Thanks..
    ____________________
    This post is a natural product. The slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in no way are to be considered flaws or defects.

    HT:Onkyo 805, Emotiva XPA-5, Mitsu 52" 1080p DLP / polkaudio RTi12, CSIa6, FXi3, uPro4K
    2-chnl : Pio DV-46AV (SACD), Dodd ELP, Emotiva XPA-1s, XPA-2, Odyssey Khartago, LSi9, SDA-SRS 2 :cool:, SB Duet, MSB & Monarchy DACs, Yamaha PX3 TT, SAE Tuner...
    Pool: Atrium 60's/45's
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  • mmadden28
    mmadden28 Posts: 4,283
    edited October 2008
    Dennis Gardner wrote: »
    Microphonic tubes do exhibit less "ring", when using Herbies.....

    I picked up a set, and I tested them out on a VERY microphonic set of tubes, and I agree-they definitely reduce the 'ring'. However they definately don't reduce the overall microphonics. I could lightly slide my finger down one of the 'wheels' and it would still sound like I was running my finger across a microphone. If I flick my finger against the pre's chassis (such as the input selector knob), without the damper there is a 'ring' of sorts, but definately muffled if not reduced altogether with the dampers on.

    I bought a pair of the MidFi+ as well (for $5 each) and I didn't notice much if any difference. Except that in the very microphonic tubes, I could actually hear static or something as I 'rolled' the silicon wheels down the tube's surface.

    I'm sure that different results would likely be achieved depending on the rest of the system, one's hearing sensitivities, different tubes, and different tube 'issues'.

    So from my own brief testing and conclusions-It's my opinion that the dampers do in fact do something, however its limited. I would compare it physically to ringing a bell-while holding (damping) a bell in your hand it will still make a noise, but muffled (less ring), but not no noise at all. Is it a worthwhile tweak for $5-15 each? I would say yes.

    I will keep them on for the interesting look as well as possibly reducing any 'ring' that I just might not be able to hear (esp. at louder volumes) that just might possibly be improving my SQ.

    I will simply avoid microphonic tubes and just reserve them for testing tweaks or burning in speakers/ICs (so as not to reduce the useable life of good tubes).

    Thanks all.
    -Madden
    ____________________
    This post is a natural product. The slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in no way are to be considered flaws or defects.

    HT:Onkyo 805, Emotiva XPA-5, Mitsu 52" 1080p DLP / polkaudio RTi12, CSIa6, FXi3, uPro4K
    2-chnl : Pio DV-46AV (SACD), Dodd ELP, Emotiva XPA-1s, XPA-2, Odyssey Khartago, LSi9, SDA-SRS 2 :cool:, SB Duet, MSB & Monarchy DACs, Yamaha PX3 TT, SAE Tuner...
    Pool: Atrium 60's/45's
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  • dkg999
    dkg999 Posts: 5,647
    edited October 2008
    They look cool, so they must do something :confused:
    DKG999
    HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED

    Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC
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  • awe-d-o-file
    awe-d-o-file Posts: 146
    edited October 2008
    All Herbies products have a 90 day money back guarantee if you don't like them. Plenty of time to evaluate for yourself in your system w/o the need to rely on others with different setups and gear...... and ears!


    ET

    System: MF Trivista SACD > Placette passive> CJ passive horizontal bi-amp> MF 2500A(LF) MF2100(HF) > 1.2TL's

    Other: Speltz silver Eichmann IC's & speaker wire, Econotweaks Detail Magnifiers, PS Audio P-300(source), R. Gray 600, Al Sekala's AC R/C filters, R. Gray HT PC's, Oyaide R-1's,WPC-Z , M-1, Herbie's & DIY Isolation
    Room: Qty 7 - 4' tall 18" diam. bass traps, Qty 4 - 4' X 2' X 4" panels. All DIY - man my wife is tolerant!
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  • I-SIG
    I-SIG Posts: 2,243
    edited October 2008
    I'm no tubehead but it would seem to me that increasing the surface area of the tube would help dissipate heat a little and increase tube life a little irregardless of the dampening benefits.

    Wes
    Link: http://polkarmy.com/forums

    Sony 75" Bravia 4K | Polk Audio SDA-SRS's (w/RDO's & Vampire Posts) + SVS PC+ 25-31 | AudioQuest Granite (mids) + BWA Silver (highs) | Cary Audio CAD-200 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Rotel Michi P5 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Cambridge Audio azur 840C--Wadia 170i + iPod jammed w/ lossless audio--Oppo 970 | Pure|AV PF31d
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited October 2008
    I used them with my ELP, mine were some large brass rings you adjusted to fit the tube cant recall the name, I sold them to George Daniels with the unit. Cant say they did much for SQ, but the hear dissapation made sense and they sure did not hurt anything.

    I do not use them with my BAT or Manley gear.

    RT1
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited October 2008
    I use the orange silicone type and I'm not sure if they make a difference. Practically I could see where they could help since I'm using two per tube and that's some good dampening ability, but they probably help a little. I ordered mine from ebay and they were uber cheap ($25 shipped for 20 dampers), so I'm not heart broken if they don't make a difference.

    SmallDamper.jpg

    PS. My amp now looks like some kind of UFO without the top on it with all the circuits, tube glow, and orange rings.
    Jake
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