Has anyone used the high temp silicone orange o rings as tube dampers?
If so are they effective on microphonics? I have tried the tube coolers with zero results. I was thinking of buying some for my 5687 tube as the Tung-Sol is microphonic and the JAN Phillips isn't. The tube measures aprox .798 OD. I was looking at a bag of 50 o rings for $8.95 plus shipping. Yes I know there is someone on ebay selling 8 of them for $8.95 plus shipping. I am looking at the 3/4 ID size in double thickness. These measure .734 ID and I was wondering if that was enough stretch to obtain some results.
Joe
If so are they effective on microphonics? I have tried the tube coolers with zero results. I was thinking of buying some for my 5687 tube as the Tung-Sol is microphonic and the JAN Phillips isn't. The tube measures aprox .798 OD. I was looking at a bag of 50 o rings for $8.95 plus shipping. Yes I know there is someone on ebay selling 8 of them for $8.95 plus shipping. I am looking at the 3/4 ID size in double thickness. These measure .734 ID and I was wondering if that was enough stretch to obtain some results.
Joe
I've tried them- got mine from McMaster-Carr pretty cheaply. But they're not orange! I've also tried various fluorocarbon rubber rings. They all work some, but not hugely well. You can hear a difference in the quantity of ringing, but the microphonic tubes I tried them on were still microphonic.
At a cost of maybe a buck per tube, sure, it's not optimum but it's something. The real solution is to use less-microphonic tubes, and if necessary, isolate the chassis or the socket subassembly.
At a cost of maybe a buck per tube, sure, it's not optimum but it's something. The real solution is to use less-microphonic tubes, and if necessary, isolate the chassis or the socket subassembly.
Good mechanical isolation mounting of tube gear is required ime, more especially pre-amp stages.
Acoustic isolation can be needed to.
Floating the tube electronics on car valve springs is cheap and works quite well.
I have a friend with an all tube system.
Tapping the top panel of the preamp causes a 'dhooomp' out of the speakers, and soft mounting reduces this dramatically.
O-rings will help mid/highs acoustic feedback exitation, and springs underneath will help the lows acoustic feedback situation.
Eric.
Acoustic isolation can be needed to.
Floating the tube electronics on car valve springs is cheap and works quite well.
I have a friend with an all tube system.
Tapping the top panel of the preamp causes a 'dhooomp' out of the speakers, and soft mounting reduces this dramatically.
O-rings will help mid/highs acoustic feedback exitation, and springs underneath will help the lows acoustic feedback situation.
Eric.
a cheap alternative
Find a "pull it yourself" automotive junkyard and snitch a few silicone o-rings from the headlight bulbs. There is a common "big" size that works well on ST power tubes, and a less common "little" size that works well on 9-pin tubes.
Usual cost: One puzzled look from the guy behind the counter.
Find a "pull it yourself" automotive junkyard and snitch a few silicone o-rings from the headlight bulbs. There is a common "big" size that works well on ST power tubes, and a less common "little" size that works well on 9-pin tubes.
Usual cost: One puzzled look from the guy behind the counter.
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