recommendations for tube dampers???

I tend to agree with Upscale on this. I use Top Hats and find them to be excellent on the principal tubes in my preamp, DACs and amps, but I note that along with better focus their effect can also be to rob a little of the euphonic sonic "glow" of some tubes which you may like. The ARC dampers are pretty cheap, I'd suggest them as a good place to start.

Upscale's comment about covers it. OTOH, for a couple of bucks, you can pick up three "O" rings for each tube at your local Home Depot. Get 'em slightly undersized and slip 'em on. Vary the number and position and listen. I've found them effective, sometimes not. As for Hats, Pearls and Sox, I've tried them all with varying or no success and, frankly, I don't think they're worth the expense. As for Herbie's, no experience with them, but they look interesting.

Hi. The above link to Herbie's Audio Lab is no longer valid. Herbie's new website address is:

http://herbiesaudiolab.net

Thanks!

Steve Herbelin
Herbie's Audio Lab

Herbie's Audio Lab Ultrasonic tube dampers

I concur with Gino. Silicone O-rings are dirt cheap and may be all you need. If you're not satisfied with the results, you can then move on to the more involved/expensive solutions. Upscaleaudio is also correct that a little bit of microphony can be a good thing, and is probably one of the reasons we all like tubes.

David