what to do?

[KBK]

Note to moderators: Do as you must! (I'm not exactly sure what to do with this one, is my story)

About 4 years ago, I designed the best vibrationally isolating and energy damping tube sockets known to mankind. I simply executed the designs in my head, and imagined a few versions and then never went back to it. I had all the parts, materials, etc. It was not an empty exersise, but simply one without need for the physical device itself. I was too busy to visit it in the real sense and too many things were on my plate. People want me to run companys, sweep floors, answer phones, make samples, etc. I'm far more effective when left to my own devices. Me, a CC, and a licence to buy whatever hardware I want, that's the dream. This is the DIY audio site, isn't that the dream for most of us?

Recently, a manufacturer who shall remain nameless, iterated a need for a tube socket of this nature, during a phone conversation. I pulled the cobwebs off my idea, brushed it off..and had a prototype up and running in 24hrs, and emailed the photos to them. They turned me down. I was stunned, and most importantly, heartbroken. One of my brainchildren was homless and on the streets, just after being born. In the dumpster it went. It sat there and cried for a while, and I went and retrieved it.

I'm bringing it here to you guys, knowing that you'll treat it well.

I'm trying to figure out if I will bother, or if all the flack that I'll take from nutbars makes it worth the trouble. Hopefully, the number of nutbars in the tube forum, might actually 'get it', when I show this to them. Lots of us here..at least.


If there is interest, I'll pay the fee, and take it to the bazzar. after all, this is the kind of socket you want: something that does EVERYTHING right. It kills vibration that is IN the tube itself or has infected it, and it kills the noise that attempts to get to the tube. It is so good, it would work like a miracle in road apps for tour gear. Imagine being able to simply shut an amp off which was parked directly on top of the stack!... and cart it away, even as you are hitting the power switch. It is real, serious, verifiable and measurable damping quality, that is comptletely SOTA. In most cases, it redefines this area, when it comes to audio - and tubes.

[Klimon]

Sound interesting. Are you checking if there is interest of a future buying public here at diyaudio (to decide upon serial production) or rather considering to make your intellectual property public, giving diy-ers the chance to implement it themselves?

The way you put it you've touched upon something very worthwile, I would definitely be interested.

Cheers,

Simon

[ErikdeBest]

I am curious!

[DigitalJunkie]

If it's as good as you make it seem,and you really had an actual prototype in-hand and ready within 24 hours,I can't imagine why they'd turn you down...
It would probably take some other tech-dude longer than 24 hours to think of it and even get an idea formed,yet you had the actual *hardware* ready for them by that time.. eh,well...thier loss.

So,Ya got me curious..

[KBK]

Well, I'd be producing them for the marketplace in general, but using some of the products that we already sell, one can 'make their own', for about 50% less than I will charge, as most of the DIY crowd have the rest of the nessessary gear floating about in their workshops. A few hours work....and Presto Chango! Some world class tube isolation/damping sockets. Just like that. We're talking about $25 retail apiece, for the cheapest version of a mini 9 pinner. There may be an introductory price. Yah never know.

Or buy 'em from me. (we NEED a 'shrug' smiley. Big time!) Your choice.

This is small business, and the market is too darned small for the main company to take advantage of or delve into. Not enough return for investment -corporate wise- but I like this kind of 'tinker' stuff. This one has been left up to me, to play with on my own. Back to my old tricks! I'll run a photo up the DIY pole this evening and see if anyone salutes it. And explain all the salient bits -ad nauseam.

[pinkmouse]

I don't see any problem with gauging interest here as long as you take it to AVB once you get going. It certainly sounds interesting, have you got a pic or drawing?

[KBK]

I have piccies, but a storm started here last night, and conked out my wireless internet connection. Had to wait until today. Hopefully in a few minutes. As soon as you see them, you will realize that it appears as if you can make them easily, on your own. You'll have to use a particular product we produce, in their construction, but the costs will be reduced, in the final analysis. I stated appears, for a reason. The machining of the product carries some very definite potential for physical hazard.

[KBK]

Note the Tubecentric 'Phil Spectre Wall of Capacitance.' 250V 0.47uf polystyrene. Very cool caps.

[anatech]

Hi Ken,
It's looks simple, the concept is simple. So it should be successful. Good design.

Next time I see you, can you bring one by?

BTW, it is entirely possible that they didn't like the colour. But I realise the colour will be used for fine tuning the sound. Poobah is an expert in that area.

Good job Ken,
-Chris

[vax9000]

Probably they turned it down because of the short expected life? The foam might get aged and become brittle after receiving heat from the tube.