Hey Tube Heads

Music Direct has the CAIG - VACUUM TUBE SURVIVAL KIT on sale for $29.99, which is $10 bucks off normal price.

CAIG VACUUM TUBE SURVIVAL KIT at Music Direct

I just ordered one with the hopes of getting a little performance bump from my VAC pre, which I know has never had any cleaning done to it. My tubes are new but I will still treat them with the DeoxIT Gold and clean all the sockets.

At some point, I will open up the Counterpoint and do the same.

I simply wipe any accumulated dust off of the COLD tube, and a spot of windex on a microfiber is useful. Then I wiggle the tube around in its socket. Then I check the bias and move on.

I have been using tuner cleaner and lubricator on my tubes. I have a bottle of deoxit on order. Remember to not handle the glass with your bare fingers as the oil can create hot spots and burn out the tubes faster.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hyfi

which I know has never had any cleaning done to it. My tubes are new but I will still treat them with the DeoxIT Gold and clean all the sockets.

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While I have been a Caig user for thirty years, I am leery of applying it to tube pins and sockets.

Advice from Victor Khomenko

of BAT.

As an aside, he grew up in a family where several members worked at the Svetlana (now SED) factory in St. Petersburg.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by E-Stat

While I have been a Caig user for thirty years, I am leery of applying it to tube pins and sockets.

Advice from Victor Khomenko

of BAT.

As an aside, he grew up in a family where several members worked at the Svetlana (now SED) factory in St. Petersburg.

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Thanks for the heads up. Maybe I will just clean the sockets and not apply the pro gold to the tubes.

I would much rather put the $30 towards a new set of tubes I'd want to try, personally.

Tuner cleaner and deoxit are fine and won't leave a residue or gunk up anything. I always wipe the pins clear after applying any cleaner.

I have a can of Deoxit but find it works no better than contact cleaner from Lowes.

Next time I clean tube pins it will be with Magic Eraser.