These are superbly made sockets with excellent contact integrity and a strong aesthetic appeal. I used both the UX-4 and octal versions in the audio chassis of a custom 300B stereo amplifier I used to make. Given the price point they were appropriate, as to whether or not they contributed anything tangible to the sound I'd say that was doubtful.
I have never used them in anything I have built for my own use as they are just too expensive and I would rather spend the money where it might make an audible difference to my design. I use modern and surplus ceramic and micanol (filled plastic) type sockets in my own stuff and have never had an issue.
The most important thing is contact design, look for something that grips the pins tightly and has a reasonable amount of contact area.
Good vintage sockets will generally provide a reference for what represents good design, and you can look for similar in modern sockets.
I have never used them in anything I have built for my own use as they are just too expensive and I would rather spend the money where it might make an audible difference to my design. I use modern and surplus ceramic and micanol (filled plastic) type sockets in my own stuff and have never had an issue.
The most important thing is contact design, look for something that grips the pins tightly and has a reasonable amount of contact area.
Good vintage sockets will generally provide a reference for what represents good design, and you can look for similar in modern sockets.
I have two of the 9 pin sockets, gold plate, that I'm not going to use. I did solder wire to it, so they are not completely unused. the're the 9 pin teflon at welborn labs site, 9PCHCD:
http://www.welbornelabs.com/sockets.htm
man these were $88 a piece! I'd be willing to part with these for half? $44 for the pair.
I also have glasshouse boards to go with them:
http://www.welbornelabs.com/sockets.htm
man these were $88 a piece! I'd be willing to part with these for half? $44 for the pair.
I also have glasshouse boards to go with them:
Attachments
I will say that these are high quality sockets and well made...
As for how they effect performance of audio.... I would say that it depends on the application... If you have small signal tubes then the effects are small to negligible...
If you are using a 211 or an 845, then examine the AC voltage swing on your load line....This can have roughly a 2000V AC swing, which now puts a sever gradient upon the dielectric, thus having an affect on high frequency performance...
I would also say that pentodes in octal base would have more of a affect....due to the higher source impedance...
Chris
As for how they effect performance of audio.... I would say that it depends on the application... If you have small signal tubes then the effects are small to negligible...
If you are using a 211 or an 845, then examine the AC voltage swing on your load line....This can have roughly a 2000V AC swing, which now puts a sever gradient upon the dielectric, thus having an affect on high frequency performance...
I would also say that pentodes in octal base would have more of a affect....due to the higher source impedance...
Chris
pred said:
You have teflon sockets that look similair at diyhifisupply.com at half the price, and if you order for more than 100$ you will get them without shipping cost. I am no in association with them just happend that I already ordered. No not tefloncermaic ones.
Pred
I have seen them ($19 per item) ... but I assume that these are chinese copies and I have heard some not very nice things about chinese sockets. But I would appreciate very much if somebody can post concrete experience with these sockets ...
I have been using those china made telfon sockets for a while already. They costed me around USD12 each for Octal or UX4 in Hong Kong. Depend on your application, if you are using PCB, don't bother to use them. I would recommend using them on power tube with point-to-point wiring. The major difference between them and the traditional ceramic sockets is not about electrical leakage but the amount of mechanical vibration. As you know, power tubes, especially those direct heated ones like 300B, are quite susceptible to external vibration. These telfon sockets allows a 300B to sit solidly up-right and yet their elasticity offers better mechanical damping than ceramic. Another bonus I find during the course of using them is that telfon is such a slippery material that they don't leave scratch on the center-pin of your expensive power tubes as you insert or remove them. The contacts were so designed that they can make good contact with the tube without applying too much contact pressure. I would call this a very well-engineered and user-friendly feature. Just imagine, how horrible it is to force a expensive tube into a tight socket and breaking the centre-pin when pulling it out.
The assembly qaulity of the China make is not as good as the Japnese one so a helpful hint when using the china made telfon sockets: always check the tightness of the lock-nut on every single pin. Always retighten them until the spring washers become fully compressed. Then apply a thin coat of solder between the thread and the nut to further secure them.
Sonically, I find they do not make any tonal difference from the ceramic or plastic one but they do improve very much on the stereo imaging and sound field stabilty.
I got some photos of how they look in my 300B SE amp. I will post them later.
Regards,
P.S. try to stay away from those small 9-pins telfon socket. Their pins are so close together. It is nightmare to work with.
The assembly qaulity of the China make is not as good as the Japnese one so a helpful hint when using the china made telfon sockets: always check the tightness of the lock-nut on every single pin. Always retighten them until the spring washers become fully compressed. Then apply a thin coat of solder between the thread and the nut to further secure them.
Sonically, I find they do not make any tonal difference from the ceramic or plastic one but they do improve very much on the stereo imaging and sound field stabilty.
I got some photos of how they look in my 300B SE amp. I will post them later.
Regards,
P.S. try to stay away from those small 9-pins telfon socket. Their pins are so close together. It is nightmare to work with.
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