by kevco Mon Mar 15, 2010 1:47 pm
I have recently started to experiment with dampers of this type. I had $12 worth of Paypal credit that I wanted to blow, so I decided to give them a try. I am using them only on my small signal tubes, not power tubes. I have installed 2 dampers each on my linestage tubes, driver tubes and voltage amplifier tube. The idea is that the damper is placed around the tube so that it sits where the mica support wafers meet the glass. The theory is the damper reduces microphonics associated with transformer vibration and general room vibrations. None of my preamp tubes were noticeably microphonic to begin with, so I wasn't looking to fix bad tubes. Did they do anything? Maybe. But it wasn't much. Did they add more "focus" to the music? Maybe, but nothing noticeable. I guess they may help some people, but I could've done without 'em. Not a bad gamble at $12 for a dozen though. It's not like paying $500 for a wooden volume knob. I do however recommend an affordable power conditioner to remove line noise, especially for phono preamps. That's one piece of equipment that has made a noticeable difference in the quality of my system's sound. By the way, I bought my dampers from the guy who always has them listed on Audiogon at $12.40 per dozen shipped. I recommend him as a fast shipper of rubber bands.
After the investment in a quality amp, preamp and speakers, I will rate in descending order the add-ons which I feel have improved the sound of my system.
1 Quality preamp tubes. The difference between new Russian preamp tubes and NOS European tubes was incredible. NOS Europeans win hands down.
2 Better quality interconnects and speaker wire. If you're producing a great signal, it only counts if it makes it to the speakers!
3 Tweaks, like line conditioners and isolaters and dampers, but only as needed.
