Tube socket purchase

[TubeMack]

I would like to poll you guy's on this subject. I need to put in a order for 3 amps this weekend, and need some advice regarding sockets.

My last project used cheap ($3) 8 pin sockets from China. They Looked fantastic, but did not work well at all! The metal sockets were all loose from within the ceramic base. So, even though they made good tight connections with the pins, the tube would still flop around, causing all the solder tabs (and connected wiring!!!!), to move around ? Anyone else see this?

I would rather not use NOS brown plastic connectors, but rather "better" new connectors, and I'm currently looking at 2 options.

1)Angelica has "Premium" ceramic sockets from Japan for $8 a pop. Will the really be better than the cheapo s?
Tube Socket, 8 Pin, Angela Premium Ceramic, Gold

2. Or for a little more, some Ebay teflons. My concern here is soldering to posts. How hard is that? I see some adaptors being sold to make it eassier?

Teflon vacuum tube socket (valve socket) 8 pin - eBay (item 230407707878 end time Aug-30-10 23:14:28 PDT)


I will be orderring 8 and 9 pin sockets. Are either of the proposed choices OK, or is there a third better option for Ceramic, or Teflon bottom mounts? Please no $40 sockets from Japan!!!!

[astouffer]

Well a few people agree that teflon is not very good for socket material due to how soft it is. If you want ceramic then here is an option for you:

Medium Tube Sockets

They list NOS ceramic sockets for $10 each. A bit more than Ebay but probably better than the stuff coming out of Asia today. Not to say that all of its bad but you have to be careful. I will give them credit for making rare ceramic sockets for stuff like the GU-50 and EL-156.

[DualTriode]

TubeMack,
Check out Steve’s' stuff at Tube Scokets I have used most of the socket you see on on his page, no complaints. I believe that micro gold plate belongs on a shinny sales brochure not in you amplifier.
DT
All just for fun!

[Eli Duttman]

I would like to poll you guy's on this subject. I need to put in a order for 3 amps this weekend, and need some advice regarding sockets.

Dude, something to think about is the fact that mica loaded phenolic, sometimes called micanol, slightly absorbs conducted vibration, while ceramic does not. Which do you prefer, cosmetics or less microphony?

[dubwicht]

The pins on the teflon socket are not difficult to solder. I made a Pete Millet Elinear amplifier using them and it worked out great. You wrap the wire before soldering and achieve the best possible contact.

Cheers, Doug

[rtstimson]

My concern here is soldering to posts. How hard is that? I see some adaptors being sold to make it eassier?

I'm pretty much a newby to building, but I used the teflon sockets with pins and found them to be a real pain to solder to, particularly if you have mutliple wires connecting to a post. Connecting a coupling capacitor with large gauge wires is nearly impossible without jerry rigging something. Next time I plan on using decent quality sockets with normal soldering lugs. Those with more experience may have some tricks, however.

[TubeMack]

Originally Posted by rtstimson

My concern here is soldering to posts. How hard is that? I see some adaptors being sold to make it eassier?

I'm pretty much a newby to building, but I used the teflon sockets with pins and found them to be a real pain to solder to, particularly if you have mutliple wires connecting to a post. Connecting a coupling capacitor with large gauge wires is nearly impossible without jerry rigging something. Next time I plan on using decent quality sockets with normal soldering lugs. Those with more experience may have some tricks, however.

Yeah, I saw those adaptor plates, and thats why I was asking about the difficulty?

I' think I will go with the 50's NOS ceramic posted above. They don't have 9 pin, so I may settle on the Angelica Premium in silver for those. Any last minutes thoughts before the orders go in?

[Ty_Bower]

Originally Posted by TubeMack

...need some advice regarding sockets.

The best sockets I've ever used are the Belton "micalex" sockets. I've bought some off tubedepot.com, and others off eBay vendors. They grip snugly, look good, and are easy to solder. They're available in octal and 9-pin versions, and the price isn't outrageous.

Belton 8 Pin Octal Chassis Mount Socket

[llwhtt]

If you would like some Mil-spec type octal sockets try looking for these PNs. All four of these numbers are bottom mount, first two are phenolic and the second two are ceramic.

TS101P01

TS101P02

TS101C01

TS101C02

I used these numbers and bought 100 sockets for only $1.75 each.

Craig