Benefit of Tube Dampers/Coolers on 6H30?


A quick search of the forums led me to the belief that the effectiveness of tube dampers and coolers is dependent on the tubes used.

I'm auditiioning an Ayon CD-2, and want to really hear what it's capable of before deciding to keep it (which I'm leaning toward anyway).

I'm curious about how beneficial dampers and coolers are on 6H30 tubes. And if they are helpful, which to use? I saw Mrtennis recommended the EAT coolers/dampers (http://www.elusivedisc.com/prodinfo.asp?number=MHEATDAMP)in another thread, and he stated they tamed some of the mid/treble glare in his unit, which is exactly the issue I have with the performance of the CD-2 right now. OTOH, it seems Herbie's halos (http://herbiesaudiolab.home.att.net/)are the most popular choice, although I sense the EATs are fairly new.

Then there are these, with a choice of brass or copper: http://www.audiotubes.com/damper.htm

These, which look very much like the EATs, but cheaper: http://www.partsconnexion.com/Advertising/audiogon/pearl.html

These for the *really* brave: http://www.realhamradio.com/liquid-cooling.htm

And I recently saw some coolers/dampers somewhere that looked like the EAT and pcX, but longer, covering almost the entire tube, although I can't find them now.

I'm a bit lost. Are any of these products superior to the others? Do any of them change the sound in different ways than the others? Would it be beneficial to combine products, such as Herbie's and the EAT on the tubes?

Are the 6H30 tubes so good they don't suffer from microphonics and other common tube characteristics such that the use of any of these devices would render little if any beneift?

Thanks to all for your thoughts.

HC
aggielaw
Samhar, you just supported what I said! You were listening to stock 6h30's. Nos 6h30's are much better than the stock ones, just as nos 6922,6dj8,7308's are considerably better than stock ones, as well as after market or audiophile quality powercords are better than stock cords.
My point is give an accurate account ie; I only tried stock 6h30's not nos 6h30's. You didn't say that! which would lead someone to think that that's indicative of all 6h30's tubes.
Sorry I was not aware that the nos tube were an enormous improvement over stock 6H30's. If there is a big difference in sound then Aggielaw might want to borrow some from the dealer so he knows what he's buying.
Anybody try a 6n6p tube to replace a 6h30? There are few individuals that swear by it. Drop in and cheaper than a 6h30.
I have yet to get the nerve up to do it. BAT says no damage to try but they do not recognize any benefit.
Slowly. I've had to travel quite a bit for work, and the unit is headed back to the dealer to have an XLR output repaired that was damaged in shipping to me.

I got the system to sound much better by adjusting the speaker positions. I'm still not sold on the unit, but a few days of listening and tweaking when I get the unit back and am home long enough - which should be about March 11 - and I should know something.