![]() Although the damper appears to be designed as a heat sink, the thermally conductive interface between the glass bulb and aluminum fins is woefully inadequate for the device to function as such. Lower midrange frequencies are bland acute dynamics tend to be "rounded" without energetic attack and decay high frequencies are well-represented, but lack many of the intangibles that give a sense of live performance. These dampers reduce tube microphonics, but the sonic result is poor. (Because Allnic Absorb-Gel Dampers damp vibrations under the tube pins, the benefits are minimal compared to damping the socket directly contacting the tube pins.) In almost all cases though, Herbie's damping instruments provide optimal results without having to worry about damping the sockets.Ĭool Damper by EAT (Euro Audio Team): Herbie's Audio Lab has tested this fine-looking tube damper and found it to be a bust. Damping the socket and tube both can be mutually effective placing a ring of Permatex Blue Silicone Gasket Maker (available at auto parts stores) around tube sockets dampens them quite effectively, without the drawback of having an additional set of pins/sockets for each tube, keeping a more direct electronic signal intact. We have found that damping tube sockets can sometimes be effective at reducing microphonics, but damping the bulb glass is much more effective and the results more consistent amongst various tubes and components. Other manufacturers make brass or copper sleeves and deceptively imply that they are tube "coolers." They are not.Ībsorb-Gel (Allnic): These are extension sockets with a gel material inside. Our tests with brass Tube Anchors resulted in fairly cool-running input/driver tubes running an average of 33.8º F hotter than without Anchors. Massive brass clamped around a tube, however, deprives the glass bulb of air ventilation needed for cooling. Tube Anchors/Brass Rings: Though awkward to work with, Tube Anchors by MapleShade are excellent sonically, the only dampers we have tested that play in the same league as our damping instruments. They're not bad dampers overall though, delivering an overall pleasant result. Though sonically competitive with Herbie's original PTFE HAL-O tube dampers, these tube rings lack the punch, microdynamic speed, and nuance of Herfbie's newer damping instruments. To keep tubes from overheating, they should be placed near the top of the tubes where they are sometimes least effective. Here are some observations we've made:ĭuende Criatura Tube Rings: Although these European rings are great at bringing out a sense of detail and clarity, they don't fully reveal the deeper "texture" of each note, and lower/mid frequencies seem a bit thin at times. Q: What's the advantage of Herbie's dampers over other kinds of tube dampers?Ī.
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