tube dampers in v2

[clk230]

do i need tube dampers in my v2 if so so any diy versons ?

[Deleted]

clk230
I will leave a more comprehensive answer to the people who have owned and modified this unit, however, I offer the following
general observations.
Tube dampers are used to prevent smearing of detail due to vibration affecting the internal structure of the valves. Thus there will be most benefit when used with a preamplifier/amplifier when used to drive loudspeakers. There are other quite effective ways to deal with this vibration as well. These include sitting the unit on some kind of sound absorbing base, higher quality suspension material ( a bit difficult with this particular unit) and
even mounting internal PCB using rubber grommets,which of course is impractical with this unit. Some people also use bituminous material etc. internally in the aluminium case to reduce resonances.
O.K. , now over to people with hands on experience with this particular unit .

SandyK

[mrarroyo]

Whether it works or not is immaterial. Think of the cool factor by having the rings around the tubes. Now that is cool.

[aurum]

clk230 said:

do i need tube dampers in my v2 if so so any diy versons ?

Go to your local bearing supplier & ask for a length of neoprene O ring spaghetti. The thicker the better. Cut to length so it fits snugly to your valve & super glue the ends. A super cheap dampener that works well. More than one can be used per valve if required.
Neoprene is quite good with heat & will last a long time but will eventually crack if you take them on & off. I have found this problem is mostly with power tubes that run a lot hotter. The V2 miniature tubes should not create this problem.

My own tweaking experience with my V3 in regards to dampening has been with the Pearl Tube Coolers. I found they had a negative effect on the sound, making the vocals appear distant & thinning out the bass.
I have them on my main valve amp & they have only been a positive tweak in this case. All you can do is try & see if you like the results.

[rowuk]

The effect is called microphonics and can occur wherever appreciable sound pressure occurs. Whether or not damping the glass is significant is still a mystery to me. In theory, the glass plays no audible part. We would need to damp the cathode, anode or grid to stop the microphonics.
The same goes for "cooling" the tube. The heat is there for a reason and we could change the heater voltage if we felt a need to change it. Tubes are not transistors and most audio tubes do not need cooling. Damping the pc board or the whole unit will probably give better results anyway.

[Deleted]

"We would need to damp the cathode, anode or grid to stop the microphonics."

Robin
I agree, that's why I also suggested alternative methods. I imagine that most of the vibration would enter from the case, and then into the valve via it's socket.
As regards using the coolers, I doubt that they would affect the operating temperature of the heater and cathode. It may be more like using the valves in a slightly cooler climate. This could be beneficial to longevity in some climates,after all, quality replacements aren't exactly cheap, particularly for output valves.

Miguel
I didn't recommend anything at that website. I was just passing the information on to anyone who may have been interested. You would have to be a real fanatic to even consider using some of those extremely expensive devices. Perhaps somebody with more money than common sense ?

[PinkFloyd]

Suck it and see. These things can make a difference but whether or not that "difference" is an improvement or simply a difference only your ears can tell. I have tried the "boutique" dampers (fortunately, they were free) and certainly wouldn't waste good money on them. Take one of your valves / tubes along to your local ironmonger and ask him to show you his range of O rings, choose a nice thick one that will fit snugly over the valve (tight fit) and buy a couple (one for each valve) shouldn't cost you more than a few pennies each www.polymax.co.uk/acatalog/O-Rings_ORings_O_Rings_From_Polymax.html

You can experiment with these and even fit multiple rings of differing thickness onto your valves.... IMO a bloomin' pointless exercise UNLESS your headphone amp is subjected to vibration but an exercise worth carrying out if nothing else for the placebo value.

[clk230]

thanks for the advice i'll try some o rings, good excuse to take the x-can apart again.

[mrarroyo]

sandyk said:

... You would have to be a real fanatic to even consider using some of those extremely expensive devices. Perhaps somebody with more money than common sense ?

You are correct, I would never consider one of those devices! They are way to cheap!!! ;D

[jezza]

If you use 'Viton' (V75) O rings, they will withstand higher temperatures than neoprene.