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Tube and Tube Socket Cleaning

I have a pair of RT 12AU7's of which one of them is noisy when powered up. I have switched it from side to side in my pre-amp (CJ PV10A) and the noise follows. I sprayed a great deal of compressed air into the tube socket and around the prongs of the problem tube and this has diminished the noise greatly, but not completely. I spoke with the dealer and he advised me to take a fingernail file and gently file the prongs on the problem tube. Any thoughts on this???
He also mentioned that there were tube socket cleaning kits available. Has anyone had any experience with these or can anyone recommend one?

Thanks!!!

Brad Day
Atlanta, GA

PS My searches on Audiogon for this information did not turn up any matches.
bday0000

Showing 2 responses by detlof

detlof
1,899 posts
 
Gently filing the prongs as you propose, I have also found helpful and afterwards a good cleaning with Kontak or just a tiny bit of Craig ProGold certainly helps. For the sockets, I use these tiny brushes which are sold for cleaning the cavities between your teeth with very good effect, followed by a tad of Kontak or Pro Gold as well. Cheers,
detlof
1,899 posts
 

Brad, as Greg suggests, sandpaper will do very well, because you can fit it round the prong. I don't see any harm in using a nailfile though. I've both used the metal and the wooden ones- gentil and carefully though, just enough to take away the oxidation. Don't know where you can get Kontak in Atlanta. You could try Audio Advisor via mailorder. Craig Pro Gold probably also from them or directly from the Craig webside. (Am not sure now, if it is CAIG or CRAIG ) Cheers,
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