Tube Socket Savers, why?

I use socket savers to raise 2 of the 4 Linlai Global E 6SN7. This allows them to fit in a preamp that has too close spacing for such huge 6SN7s. Each tube is 2" in diameter.

Thanks,

aldnorab 

Like Aldnorab, I've used them to raise tubes for fit.  I noticed that they fit so tight that it is hard to leave them installed and pull the tube out of them.  Struggling to get the tube out of the tube saver puts stress on the socket.  

If somone designs a quality socket saver that fits snugly into the socket and tubes can be removed more easily, that would make sense.

Here is where a socket saver is useful:  If you roll old tubes a lot and don't like to spend 10 minutes cleaning the corrosion off the pins with steel wool.  The corrosion on the pins is abrasive and will wear out your socket and cause poor connections.  your socket ends up cleaning the pins. 

Jerry

And if you do decide to install socket savers, look at Tube Mongers.  The cheap varieties found on EBay and Amazon are poor quality.

If you can find NOS Pomona Electronics socket savers, they are the best but more expensive than Tube Mongers.

https://www.tubemonger.com/searchresults.asp?Search=Socket+savers&Submit=

I use them in a tube tester but not my amplifier.

I use them on my vintage MC30s, since they were born in 1958.  I’d like to think they help wear and tear when swapping tubes.