Ceramic tube sockets

[rp]

IBID Leo_Gnardo! and why risk microphonics. Hate ceramics.

Good molded bases last forever so what's the point. Belton and QQQ are terrific (Parts Connextion), just stay away from the cheaper plastic bases that are around (AES), you'll regret it when the pins go loose right away.

FYI The Beltons are 30mm which is a PITA as i don't have a quality 30mm punch. If top mounting you can use 1 1/4" but need to drill the screw holes more carefully. The QQQs are correctly sized from the bottom but if top mounting you need to hit the chassis hole with a file or a quick dremeling - beats me, the Japanese are usually more on the ball. Still, my new fave.

[Leo_Gnardo]

IBID Leo_Gnardo! and why risk microphonics. Hate ceramics.

Good molded bases last forever so what's the point. Belton and QQQ are terrific (Parts Connextion), just stay away from the cheaper plastic bases that are around (AES), you'll regret it when the pins go loose right away.

I'm not advocating ceramic tube sockets for everything, hardly. OTOH I've run across some Belton sockets that I'm not pleased with sonically. So use whatever you trust. Mostly I still use plastic sockets. Just haven't run across any socket-induced microphonics from ceramic ones. If I'm servicing an amp that creates a lot of heat in the socket area, or has had a history of arcing, I'll opt for ceramic. I have had to replace shagged-out sockets, mostly plastic, and more frequently now that "tube rolling" has become more common.