I use socket savers in my Schiit Freya Plus preamp. It lifts the tube higher and helps keep heat out of the chassis of the preamp. I did not notice a difference in sound.
I'm too not realy sure if its placebo, but I can swear on my left earlobe that without it I feel a bit punchier/vibraient sound from all frequencies, a bit more warmth, aggression - like a small screen mesh that keep some of the sound away with the saver. Totally minut but I'd leave without one after this vid, thanks for sharing!
My thoughts are these: I really want to say there was no difference. I really really do. I might be hearing something though and I'm not sure what to think about it. It may be a placebo effect because, potentially, I KNOW there is something between the amp and the tube, that there should be a difference of some sort. But I may not be hearing it correctly. I've read many things on socket savers. I some say they are just full of an epoxy and that can actually help the sound to reduce microphonics and separate the tube farther (pfft, 1.25 inches, not that far. LOL) from the amp and reduce noise. (I cannot remember what random forum I read that in, but I try to take all of the audiophile posts/forums with a grain of salt.) Others say it's just a hollow tube, connection to connection, and there is no difference in what it will or won't do. And then others say that the more you put in between the amp and tube, the worse it'll be, especially depending on the quality. I don't know what to believe. My brain tells me that the "no socket saver" sound is better or cleaner, but to tube roll like I want, and have tubes that sound best for all around, and then tubes that may make Jazz or classical sound better, and maybe another for R&B and HipHop. I have to keep them because of that. I don't think it will hurt my listening experience as a non-audiophile music lover that just wants to hear good music through tubes, and some of those tubes are older than my parents. If i'm going off of just listening and letting the placebo effect take over, then yes, I hear a difference. Not a bad one, but just different. Maybe it's the off-brand of socket saver I got, maybe it's supposed to be that way. Maybe if I found or made higher quality ones, they would be better. But honestly, nothing will make me remove them from my amp at the moment. Not until I find a tube that does EVERYTHING I want. and it would have to be the Best all-arounder that I couldn't bring myself to swap. It would have to be "the one".
Just got my Rhino Darkvoice last week Normally it's shipped with Chinese tubes but mine came with Sylvania and RCA Not complaining at all I don't hear a difference Not into tube rolling - yet - but gonna buy some I like the look of the tube sitting higher
That's Awesome! I had not heard of that before. Looked it up, apparently they've been doing that for a while. Saw a post from 2015 that said they got NOS tubes with their Rhino. (I also didn't know Rhino Darkvoice was a thing. LOL) Very cool though, what are the markings on them? I'm very interested in the ages of tubes lately. So far my oldest is from December 1959 and has marking 'LP'. Need to look at my others. What markings, letters, or numbers do yours have?
Forgot to ask Did you ever tried this adapter ? www.ebay.com/itm/1pc-Dual-Gold-GEC-A2293-CV4079-instead-6AS7-6080-tube-adapter-For-Darkvoice-/202458646139?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49292
@@dark-california I did see that one when I was getting some adapters for myself. But I didn't know what to think. Since that one is a power output tube replacement, I'd have to read more about it. I felt more comfortable doing preamp tube adapters at the moment, but power tube converters could be a possibility in the near future. I did get two adapters that I'm going to do reviews on, though. Sneak peek: they are an "12AU7 to 6SN7" adapter and a "E88CC/6922 to 6SN7" adapter. I still have to find tubes for them though. I'll do a video for everyone.
These are the ones I found on eBay, I’m not sure if all socket savers are more fragile or not, but watch those center notch pins. Lol. www.ebay.com/itm/1x-NEW-TUBE-SOCKET-SAVER-FOR-8-PIN-OCTAL-TUBES-6L6-6V6-6SN7-EL34-etc-/253063330770?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49292
I use socket savers in my Schiit Freya Plus preamp. It lifts the tube higher and helps keep heat out of the chassis of the preamp. I did not notice a difference in sound.
Feels like a slight difference. Maybe good to use when rolling and then go without once you’ve landed on preferred option.
Thank you for shared!
Mine seem to reduce vibration. Made sound thicker.
I'm too not realy sure if its placebo, but I can swear on my left earlobe that without it I feel a bit punchier/vibraient sound from all frequencies, a bit more warmth, aggression - like a small screen mesh that keep some of the sound away with the saver. Totally minut but I'd leave without one after this vid, thanks for sharing!
I personally can not spot a difference, but it's just my power tube using a socket saver. Wondering if that makes any difference.
My thoughts are these: I really want to say there was no difference. I really really do. I might be hearing something though and I'm not sure what to think about it. It may be a placebo effect because, potentially, I KNOW there is something between the amp and the tube, that there should be a difference of some sort. But I may not be hearing it correctly. I've read many things on socket savers. I some say they are just full of an epoxy and that can actually help the sound to reduce microphonics and separate the tube farther (pfft, 1.25 inches, not that far. LOL) from the amp and reduce noise. (I cannot remember what random forum I read that in, but I try to take all of the audiophile posts/forums with a grain of salt.) Others say it's just a hollow tube, connection to connection, and there is no difference in what it will or won't do. And then others say that the more you put in between the amp and tube, the worse it'll be, especially depending on the quality. I don't know what to believe. My brain tells me that the "no socket saver" sound is better or cleaner, but to tube roll like I want, and have tubes that sound best for all around, and then tubes that may make Jazz or classical sound better, and maybe another for R&B and HipHop. I have to keep them because of that. I don't think it will hurt my listening experience as a non-audiophile music lover that just wants to hear good music through tubes, and some of those tubes are older than my parents. If i'm going off of just listening and letting the placebo effect take over, then yes, I hear a difference. Not a bad one, but just different. Maybe it's the off-brand of socket saver I got, maybe it's supposed to be that way. Maybe if I found or made higher quality ones, they would be better. But honestly, nothing will make me remove them from my amp at the moment. Not until I find a tube that does EVERYTHING I want. and it would have to be the Best all-arounder that I couldn't bring myself to swap. It would have to be "the one".
I am hearing a SLIGHT difference in your recording. It is very hard to notice.
Just got my Rhino Darkvoice last week
Normally it's shipped with Chinese tubes but mine came with Sylvania and RCA
Not complaining at all
I don't hear a difference
Not into tube rolling - yet - but gonna buy some
I like the look of the tube sitting higher
That's Awesome! I had not heard of that before. Looked it up, apparently they've been doing that for a while. Saw a post from 2015 that said they got NOS tubes with their Rhino. (I also didn't know Rhino Darkvoice was a thing. LOL) Very cool though, what are the markings on them? I'm very interested in the ages of tubes lately. So far my oldest is from December 1959 and has marking 'LP'. Need to look at my others. What markings, letters, or numbers do yours have?
@@5PortStudios On the road but I'll get back to you tomorrow
Great post ... 👍
Forgot to ask
Did you ever tried this adapter ?
www.ebay.com/itm/1pc-Dual-Gold-GEC-A2293-CV4079-instead-6AS7-6080-tube-adapter-For-Darkvoice-/202458646139?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49292
@@dark-california I did see that one when I was getting some adapters for myself. But I didn't know what to think. Since that one is a power output tube replacement, I'd have to read more about it. I felt more comfortable doing preamp tube adapters at the moment, but power tube converters could be a possibility in the near future. I did get two adapters that I'm going to do reviews on, though. Sneak peek: they are an "12AU7 to 6SN7" adapter and a "E88CC/6922 to 6SN7" adapter. I still have to find tubes for them though. I'll do a video for everyone.
@@5PortStudios Awesome
Eager to see them
And a new follower of your channel ... 😉👌
What type of socket savers are you using?
These are the ones I found on eBay, I’m not sure if all socket savers are more fragile or not, but watch those center notch pins. Lol. www.ebay.com/itm/1x-NEW-TUBE-SOCKET-SAVER-FOR-8-PIN-OCTAL-TUBES-6L6-6V6-6SN7-EL34-etc-/253063330770?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49292
I hear no difference through my headphones