My experience is they all 'damped' down the sound to some degree, less freq. extension, micro dynamics impacted, all took the 'life' out of music to some degree.. Purchase quality tubes, no microphonics, take care of vibrations elsewhere such as quality feet and platforms/stands.
Tube vibration control
For a while there, it seemed that many people used a vibration suppressor for tubes, and many manufacturers offered a version. Mapleshade had an elaborate all metal tube "jacket, complete with grounding wires that came off of it. More common were the rubber rings that would fit tightly over the tubes. I used to see them a lot - now, when I peruse members systems on this site and other sites, I do not see them as often. Did time teach us that they are not a necessary as we seemed to once think? Did we learn that they caused harm - concentrated heat, for example, and shortened tube life?
Just curious, as I have all-tube electronics, and wonder if I am neglecting something that would give them a little boost in performance.
Thanks,
David