[sdiy] Tube sockets, wear of tubes

[Ralph]

Uh, just so we get this straight:

The filaments come on FIRST. If B+ is applied first, cathode stripping will occur and dramatically shorten the life of the tube. This is why older guitar amps have a standby switch. The practice is still commonplace!

The best sockets in higher voltage/power situations will be ceramic with TIN plated contacts. Silver and gold contacts will have a short life in service due to the softness of the plating. If voltages are under 450 Volts or thereabouts, the ceramic material ceases to be an issue.

-Ralph
atma-sphere.com
salubriousinvertebrae.com




 --- Thomas Hudson <hudson at speakeasy.net> skrev: 
> 
> I buy from a guy on eBay, id is anthonywelsh. He's in the UK, but the  
> sockets are shipped from Lithuania:
> 
> http://search.stores.ebay.co.uk/search/search.dll? 
> query=sockets&srchdesc=y&sid=32972019&store=ANTHONY+WELSH&colorid=6&fp=0 
> &st=2&submit=Search
> 
> or shortened:
> 
> http://tinyurl.com/6takc

Thanks for the tip!
Im also looking for PCB mounted tube sockets!

Reg
KD