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Ceramic socket problem

Various discussions about sockets, I’ve not yet seen this issue.

Tubes won’t fit. These are Audio Note, from Parts connexion (I’ve written them moments ago), pricey little beasts, silver-plating, UK craftsmanship (probably sourced outta Sri Lanka or some former colony) bought ‘em Sept 26, 2023, never thought to even TRY ‘em out until today. Curious if anyone has ever had this issue.

Locator pins on every tube from 1940’s-modern mfr (Sylvania, NU, GE, Tung-Sol, various Chicom and Russky tubes) will not go into the Audio Note too-small locator holes.
What’s worse is, tube-savers, and 6F8G/6C8G adapters don’t either. At all. Don’t even make pin contact.

I just got all the socket holes cut out this weekend, I have some other ceramic sockets but the tops are closer to 1”, not 1.125” and distance from mounting screws is too close to use.

No joy.

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Tubes won’t fit. These are Audio Note, from Parts connexion (I’ve written them moments ago), pricey little beasts, silver-plating, UK craftsmanship (probably sourced outta Sri Lanka or some former colony) bought ‘em Sept 26, 2023, never thought to even TRY ‘em out until today. Curious if anyone has ever had this issue.
Just get some Belton sockets. They're a little on the tight side, but fit perfect.

Hopefully your post will prevent someone from buying these AN sockets. :up:

jeff
 
Thanks, Jeff.

I just looked these up, measured the deck on my amp. Hole center-center is ~ 1.47” - these would work. I’m not in THAT big of a hurry, can order and have them here middle next week or weekend.

Going to wait to hear from Parts Connexion. If they can sent ones that WORK, I’ll still use them, but otherwise will order some Beltons.

Thankfully the AN UX4 mounts are just fine.
 
Never did hear back from PC. I’m making a trip up into Ontario in the coming weeks for something else, I’m seriously considering starting an international incident by taking the sockets directly to their store (do they HAVE a storefront?) and demanding a refund.

Bought the Beltons. Had to enlarge holes in mounting plate just a little, but otherwise good stuff.

Thanks.
 

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I HAD several sets of those "saddle ring" sockets on hand, but had already cut the steel upper deck/plate for the other sockets' dimensions.

Moral of the story is, DON'T trust that something will fit, work, based on reputation alone; test everything, trust no one.

I plan on being in Ontario next week and will make a side trip to PC Connexion to show them the sockets. That's like $80 worth of Audio Note labeled garbage they sent me and still, despite repeated attempts, NO reply/response to calls/emails. Meanwhile, anything I can do to disparage their reputation is sweet revenge.
 
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As wrenchone mentions.....apart from the reliable vintage ceramics which I have plenty of B9A, the Belton thermoplastics are the best IO around. TubeDepot has them. Just put "Beltron" in the search box.
Quick pic; one of the big faults of the Chinese versions, they are too sloppy so don´t overheat the pins as the solder will run down in amongst the pin tension creating a dodgy contact. I cannot count the number of times I´ve had to replace them when HiFi amps start making odd noises.
Bench Baron
 

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Hello,
Even without having a tube present i can see these locator holes are to small. So very probably they are not original Audio Note sockets. But there must have been more people who experienced this problem or not?
Maybe ask if any members on this site are using the same sockets by Audio Note. Even if they are made in a kind of sweat shop in India the dimensions should remain the same. If they are not write a letter to Audio Note and ask for an explanation.
I have ordered a Cardas item with some printing on it that was not at the same level as pictures from that product i found on the internet in official Cardas documents
Once i ordered a big quantity of expensive Mit caps at Sonic Frontiers and they just put the complete bunch in a plastic bag like they were potatoes and ship them across the ocean with lots of handling involved.
Greetings,Eduard
 
Hello,
On swapmeet today bought at parts connexion looking at the packaging. Looks like the locking " hole" is bigger here.
Take a look at a bigger screen with double screen. I just have a simple phone. Greetings Eduard
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I bet they are fakes as I would hope Audio Note at l least did some QC on their expensive product as their reputation depends on it. I spect crap when I pay a dollar but not $40. I’m very surprised that PC didn’t answer you, not smart being as you spent a lot of money with them.