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In the Forum: Melquiades Amplifier
In the Thread: Herbie's Hal-O Tube Dampers
Post Subject: Of those I have triedPosted by Paul S on: 9/21/2007
The best of the Herbie's bunch to date, in my system, have been the older PEEK, with black/dark gray "Cs" that are similar to Teflon.  I don't know if his source dried up, or the mimimum order got prohibitive or just too expensive, or what.  The older Teflon lost its grip over time, and the metal clamps just do not seem to damp as effectively for me.  I do use the metal "Cs" on my 6C33Cs because that's all he offers in the giant size.  But then, not everyone wants their tubes damped, and I also think the things may shorten tube life (and that's all I need with the stupid 6N6Ps...).

While I agree with your observations about the sonic "benefits", I would add that in some circles these things are said to "take the life out of the sound".  I have also heard from others that these dampers kill the "sparkle" and/or "destroy harmonics".  Draw your own conclusions.

Plenty of tubes are prone to microphony and/or self-noise, and these dampers also seem to help with that.

I can say for sure that these things do not destroy tubes almost immedately like other dampers.

No damper is a substitute for good tube screening.

Best regards,
Paul S

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