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

dtorc

Every situation is different, but I prefer just to put the amps/preamp on some isolation feet or platform.  Like "sns", I found that those tube dampers damped the magic out of the tubes.  

Ive bought both rubber rings and metal “heat Dispersion” jackets.  Tried the rubber rings on small and big tubes on preamps and amps and didn’t really hear any difference. But I have stayed with the metal jackets as I have sensed some differences;  no technical tests just my own ears.

 

Having been around the hobby for a while, I've collected many tools. Tool dampers are one. After a change, I'll try stuff to see if I hear an improvement. If I don't, it goes back in to storage. Currently in my system I have 15 tubes and not one damper. 

Thanks - those are sensible answers, on both sides. I think I will first play with support of the electronics. I have three kinds - Brass cones, Cardas wood blocks, and the rubber/cork sandwich. I'll get the preamp/amp well situated before I decide how to deal with the tubes themselves. Thanks for thinking with me.

 

David

I've finalized my approach to vibration with a Quadraspire Reference X stand for equipment.  I've moved through several different stands and found this one most effective using tube and/or SS gear;  providing lowered noice floor, cleaner more open reproduction and better attack.

Townshend platforms do the work for my floor standers.  Before that, Gaia footers. It's really not imaginary as the positive effects stand out clearly.  The move from Gaia to Townshend reflective of price performance.

I tend to be more critical before immediately accepting change as improvement.