Cryogenic Treatment of Tubes, and why you should not.


Came across this paper while ago on cryo treating tubes and thought iI'd share it here.  There is some other great information on tubes on the site as well. 

Cryogenic Treatment of Tubes: An Engineer’s Perspective - Effectrode

glennewdick

This paper is an example of pseudoscience masquerading around as a thorough scientific investigation. It really is not. Reminds me of ASR. 

The methodology is cursory and full of cliché. Anyone attempting a serious evaluation would center around comparing a large number of tubes and extensive listening with a high end system... Observation would be the key... not measuring a couple parameters, saying the designers would know and only putting one comment on a blind A/B test... "“blind” A/B audio testsrevealed no tonal differences or improvements between the treated and untreated tubes. The amp didn’t sound more “holographic” or “possess more subtle inner resolution”; and, unsurprisingly, it wasn’t any quieter either. This result was not unexpected." Also, embedding a bias towards not hearing a difference. 

To me, this paper says nothing. It does not show that Cryo improves, does nothing or degrades the sound. It is just a puff piece. 

I would be really interested to hear from any folks here that have compared cryo to non-cryo tubes. I would be really interested to hear the results.  

I always choose cryod when I ordered my 9000es Modwright when it still alive. No problem. The laser gave up. 

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kofibaffour

415 posts

 

it never made sense and is part of the hoodoo voodoo schtick that is so present in this space.

Yeah, anything beyond zip cord and you are out. We get it. Over and over and over......