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In Reply to: RE: I'm not so sure. posted by My name is Fred on November 04, 2015 at 17:14:11
already had tube dampers in place and THEN added the MS Toppers.
I know of very few people that use tubes that don't use dampers, so it
should be easy to find out.
Also (as previously noted) OVERDAMPING a tube can cause problems, so
adding the MSTT to existing damping might be a a no-no and as you've
said, a secondary consideration.
"Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination"-Michael McClure
Follow Ups:
The person [that] already had tube dampers in place and THEN added the MS Toppers . . . I know of very few people that use tubes that don't use dampersI hate to be the odd one out but I don't use dampers on the 6N16B tubes in the I/V stage of my DAC. Despite their reputation of being relatively reluctant to resonate, I did try a couple of DIY dampers but quickly found they made the sound worse. (A suggestion from a friend with pertinent expertise that I'd perhaps merely shifted a resonant frequency made sense.)
Later, I tried the "MSA-Keg-&-Magic-Tube" tweak; it was strikingly effective, suggesting that physical damping is, at least in my case, either not of the essence or especially effective. I'd guess the former.
I'm waiting for delivery of a pair of proper "Tube Toppers" and will make a point of trying them in lieu of the current tweak before adding or changing anything else and reporting back.
Of course, if they make no difference or - gasp - sound worse, I'll have come a cropper with a proper topper and may have to revert to the improper topper. That would be a bummer.
Edits: 11/05/15
Ahhh, an EXPERIENCED cropper, which I think may elevate you to bopper, proper.
After I posted that I realized most small input tube user probably DON'T use
dampers and I was thinking more of power tube users (where dampers can be more
effective).
Yeah, dampers on small tubes are a tricky proposition and require a lot of
fussing about with to improve things. IF at all. They can adversely and easily
affect the effect.
I do use them on the 12AX7 in my pre and CDP.
Good luck with the Toppers and let us know the outcome!
"Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination" -Michael McClure
most small input tube user probably DON'T use dampers
Any more of these "jokes" and I'll call for a stopper; if push comes to shove, a copper.
I should add that I did seem to get a small improvement from a 1/4" (6mm) mid-tube band of "Anti-Vibration Magic" applied as per pic on AVM's web site. OK, OK, not a Whopper but a keeper nonetheless.
D
I suppose we should cool it before The Bored sends out a mopper.
"Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination" -Michael McClure
I suppose we should cool it before The Bored sends out a mopper.
We seem to have got away with it.
Whatever, my Tube Toppers eventually arrived (Ouch! along with a Customs handling charge) and were soon fitted in place of the prior Keg/Magic Tube setup (aka choppers - see pix). I played this and that for a few hours to settle things down then played what I call a stalwart - a good recording I know well.
No, it wasn't "I was there when they discovered a new planet" stuff but the sound did seem slightly more refined, an impression that has stayed with me since. IOW, I'd strongly recommend either device for small signal valves/tubes - compared to using neither, the difference is marked, the Toppers being better than the choppers but only slightly. No need for sackcloth and ashes or pawning jewellery if you already have choppers and can't run to Toppers.
Out of curiosity and given that folk have talked of the devices having magnetic properties, I tried placing each (two kegs, two Tube Toppers) close to a cheap compass, one at a time. One keg and both Toppers had no effect whatsoever but the other keg turned the needle faster than a teenager's head watching beach volleyball. No idea why.
HTH
Dave
The Tube Toppers certainly do change the sound in the three systems I have tried them on. On my Eddie Current Zana Deux OTL amp there was an especially nice improvement placing the Toppers on the two rectifier tubes ( 6DMA4 tubes ). The driver tube in this amp is a single 6SL7 and a Topper at this location had a darkening effect that overall was a side step and not to me an improvement.
In the past I found the Black Discus to have an excessive effect at various locations, except for the small sample discs I placed on either side of the on - off button on my SACD player. Here the effect was just right.
I do agree with others that the Tube Topper has a more refined effect on top of tubes than earlier products do.
I find the Mad Scientist products to be worth while experiments in possibly improving one's system. Their servive is great, communication is good, an returns are cheerfully fulfilled.
who made off with Clara Clifford's copper clappers. They were in her closet in Cleveland.
So you're the guy who made off with Clara Clifford's copper clappers.
If the linked story is to be believed (it convinces me . . . ), they weren't Clara Clifford's copper clappers in the first place.
A curse on your coarse calumny.
D
nt
I also never use dampers. Whenever I tried dampers they always sucked the life out of the system
Alan
ARC LS16 preamp with 6922 tubes.
Some tubes have given me problems with microphonics, but the tube dampers always deadened the sound. Crystals near the tubes have been very effective, I have tube toppers on order, so I'll see how they do and what they do. I'm guessing that they will make improvements along the lines of crystals.
I've also noticed that the black discii and magic tubes reduce the treble somewhat, but this has allowed me to use footers with more rigidity (also from Mad Scientist) which increase the treble balance. All in all, the improvements have been substantial.
Add to these the BGT and this year has been a good one for tweaks.
... me.
J'accuse! %^P
axolotl
Edits: 11/07/15
... I would like to clarify what I didn't say.
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