Tweaks

Mr C: NO- If applied AS DIRECTED(VERY SPARINGLY), these products are COMPLETELY SAFE on tubes and sockets(OR- anywhere else). The problems stem from those that are too inept, or with too little attention to detail, to apply the substance without causing shorts between tube pins or socket connections(it's good for a person to know their own limitations). I've personally been using this sort of product, even on connectors smaller and closer together than miniature tube pins, for years, without incident. After application to tube pins, I make certain there is no excess between pins by wiping the base(between them) with Q-Tip. It's unnecessary(with ANY of these products) to ACTUALLY get connections WET, but some can't seem to help themselves. The rule=ATTENTION TO DETAIL!

How sparingly is sparingly? If this error is made by so many well meaning and I expect fairly cautious dedicated audiophiles then there may be a problem with the product itself. It is marketed to to audiophile audience with explicit instructions, yet there are a significant number of failures. I think it is appropriate to ask whether this product is safe or needs some modification. I assure you if any widely distributed medication had this many reports of problems we would not assume the patients were the problem.

There has also been discussion on Audio Asylum about these treatments drying out over time and losing there effectiveness. The problem then becomes how to clean it out of the tube sockets, RCA connectors, AC plugs, etc.

Rodman:

Smaller and closer maybe, but smaller and closer with say 400-500 volts? What happens to the gunk driven into those little connectors?

As Mechans sain, how do you clean it out? Pipe cleaners just just spread it about. Solvent sprays the same. It is a conductive substance. Even if it doesn't cause a hard short, it can increase leakage across the sockets effecting sonics. It is specifically not intended for this use. My tube dealer shakes his head at the thought. He has been around for 25 years and has undoubtedly seen more than you could ever have in this regard.

If it were a one time thing, maybe. But it needs to be reapplied every 6mths or so and seems too risky or difficult. One would be better of polishing the pins for starters. Take a look at miniature 9 pin tube. They are usually blueish from the heat in manufacture. That is scale, and less conductive than a clean pin. One of the most common issues with tube gear is worn tube sockets. People attempt to cram a tube with bent pins into the sockets, subsequently enlarging them. That leads intermittent opens and noisy gear.

If you must, you would be better off with Stabilant 22, it is a better contact enhancer in the first place. Even that stuff may have issues high voltage though. It doesn't dry out and is used in the communications, IT and military industries.

I did apply just a tiny tiny amount, I never touched the tubes before being afraid of blowing up my system, but after reading the instructions I gave it a shot and loved the end result, as for now... I hope nothing bad happens in the future, I will update if there is an issue.