I did this last night when I was getting some popping noises after trying out a few things on my amp as one channel had become lower than the other. When I was done I still had popping noise so I pulled out the can of Deoxit and gave all the sockets on both the pre and power amp a spray and made sure to get the pins cleaned too. I was done for the evening so I didn't wait around for the stuff to dry and left it for morning.
Well today I turn it on and the system sounds better than ever. It was if I changed a meaningful component or put silver cables or any number of other tweaks that improve the sound.
You just don't think to do it as a means of improving the sound, rather it is to fix a bad socket. You wouldn't put an old oxidized cable into your system so why allow the sockets to be in that condition? Now I know!
Oh, the channel imbalance went away as did the popping noises, so it did fix that too.
Well today I turn it on and the system sounds better than ever. It was if I changed a meaningful component or put silver cables or any number of other tweaks that improve the sound.
You just don't think to do it as a means of improving the sound, rather it is to fix a bad socket. You wouldn't put an old oxidized cable into your system so why allow the sockets to be in that condition? Now I know!
Oh, the channel imbalance went away as did the popping noises, so it did fix that too.
what is the suggested tool for cleaning the sockets?
I've got an old amp in the garage that needs cleaning. I bought used tubes (that were supposed to have had a fancy pin cleaning done) awhile back that gave the amp a wooshing sort of background noise until I cleaned the pins really well and the other amp is getting a similar sound and cleaning the pins didn't improve it.
Good source for a small enough brush for 9 pin sockets that won't scratch the plating?
I've got an old amp in the garage that needs cleaning. I bought used tubes (that were supposed to have had a fancy pin cleaning done) awhile back that gave the amp a wooshing sort of background noise until I cleaned the pins really well and the other amp is getting a similar sound and cleaning the pins didn't improve it.
Good source for a small enough brush for 9 pin sockets that won't scratch the plating?
I don't use a tool. I spray the socket and use the tube pins to clean by insert and wiggling, maybe pulling once or twice. If you must a pipe cleaner works on 8 and 4 pin sockets, but 9 pin may require a dental brush. I don't know for sure since I don't use them.
Unplug your amp before sticking anything in!
Unplug your amp before sticking anything in!
A peridontal brush available at your local health and beauty outlet takes care of Loctal, Noval, and 7 pin-mini socket contacts. As previously stated, pipe cleaners work for Octal and UXn socket contacts.
Aside from cleaning, occasional retensioning of socket contacts with a dental pick is also in order.
Problematic mechanical connections are a sort of grief. That's why I eschew IEC power connectors and employ strain relieved "captive" power cabling.
Aside from cleaning, occasional retensioning of socket contacts with a dental pick is also in order.
Problematic mechanical connections are a sort of grief. That's why I eschew IEC power connectors and employ strain relieved "captive" power cabling.
Funny, never had a problem with any of the thousands of devices I've come across in my life that use one (including my kettle).
Inter dental brush may fit OK.
In the one occasion I have had trouble with dirty contacts between valve and base...guess what?
It was the valve pins, rather than the base contacts.
some of that very stubborn "blueish" oxide just needs a touch of 600/1200 grit and some IPA/ethanol.
In the one occasion I have had trouble with dirty contacts between valve and base...guess what?
It was the valve pins, rather than the base contacts.
some of that very stubborn "blueish" oxide just needs a touch of 600/1200 grit and some IPA/ethanol.
Speaking of cleanings so somewhat on topic... Sorry in advance if it's too off topic, but I'm serious.... Cleaning ones ears either professionally at the doc or yourself with a ear flusher. Will extend the high frequency response of you system most dramatically. Ear wax in some folks ears can build up more easily than in others due to ear canal shape, soaps, heredity, etc. Along the priority continuum of good sound from a system I would put it in this order... Cleanliness of the ear canal, the acoustics of your room, your speakers, tube rolling, iron, your amp. Of course tube sockets, switches and pots and jacks are all in the signal path too, and all eventually can oxidize. Sorry for the divergence here.
About 15 years ago, when I was working as an editor for the local commercial hi-fi audio magazine, we did the joky "supertest" of cotton ear buds of 20 different manufacturers for our April issue. We reviewed them as crucial, but often undervalued audio accessory - much more important than spikes or AC filters. You know, with all that standard audiophile jargon - "extended highs", "smooth but detailed midrange", "astonishing dynamics", "tight and punchy low-end" and stuff.
The next six month our mailbox had been torn apart by the angry letters written by our subscribers.
Never ever again we allow ourselves to publish a single joke after that.
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Hello,
Every time i visit Vietnam i get my ears cleaned. There it is like a part of life. The effect is worthwhile. I wish i could find an adres near my house to have it done.
Greetings, Eduard
FWIW, my doctor hit the ceiling when I told her I cleaned my ears at least once a month with buds. She told me straight out that so called ear-buds are actually nose buds, for cleaning baby & child noses. The buds can be used to clean the pinnae (lobes.) For an ear cleaning, she said to make an appointment, and she would send me first to the pharmacy to get a wax solvent for overnight, and the following day at her rooms she would then syringe the ear canals to get rid of the wax. She says she has had many people who have damaged their ears, because they go in too deep.
I should have mentioned that too. Ear cleaning with a syringe and 50% water and common peroxide mix is safest. Doing it with the syringe the day after using ear drops to soften up the plug is best. Never use swabs. Your neighborhood quick care clinic will usually do it all for $50 or so.
Just throwing this out there since I have never had my ears cleaned and I was doing some research...
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/3-reasons-to-leave-earwax-alone-2017051711718
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/3-reasons-to-leave-earwax-alone-2017051711718
Well my point in starting this thread is that you should clean sockets whether you think they need it or not. People spend hundreds and thousands on tweaks and cables and whatnot but this is something you can do to similar effect that doesn’t cost anything except the can of Deoxit.
IPA is Iso-Propyl Alcohol. That's for the sockets. The India Pale Ale is for me. Ale's what cures ya!
There's something to it. The oxides act like a diode to an extent which could cause distortion if they are REALLY bad, like wiggle the tube and hear noise and static bad.
Thankfully, new sockets are even cheaper than Deoxit 😀
Seriously though, Deoxit makes some great stuff. I especially like their F5 for faders etc. Great for making old pots work like new for a while, and unlike WD40, it keeps working for longer than a week!
Thankfully, new sockets are even cheaper than Deoxit 😀
Seriously though, Deoxit makes some great stuff. I especially like their F5 for faders etc. Great for making old pots work like new for a while, and unlike WD40, it keeps working for longer than a week!
We should all have a can of DeoxIT 
Their fader cleaner also works wonders.
As for brushes, I use 22 gauge gun cleaning brushed for 1/4" jacks. The nylon brushes, not metal. On a mixing console that might have dozens of jacks, it's very handy.
Their fader cleaner also works wonders.As for brushes, I use 22 gauge gun cleaning brushed for 1/4" jacks. The nylon brushes, not metal. On a mixing console that might have dozens of jacks, it's very handy.
Never use a spray with tube sockets where the pins are mounted between 2 phenolic plates (7 and 9 pin miniatures and rimlocks come to mind). Debris is pushed between the phenolic plates and the sockets, accumulates, and eventually becomes a crappy conductor (fabulous German word: Kriechstrom).
I, as a hobby, repair old European radios and, after spry-happy techies had been at it, have to replace the tube sockets. Not fun!
To clean the pin sockets I feed heavy string, soaked wet, not dripping, in cleaner fluid, through the socket and "dental floss" it. E
I, as a hobby, repair old European radios and, after spry-happy techies had been at it, have to replace the tube sockets. Not fun!
To clean the pin sockets I feed heavy string, soaked wet, not dripping, in cleaner fluid, through the socket and "dental floss" it. E
In my experience isopropyl alcohol does not remove stain on tube sockets. The metal parts are silver plated. Silver gets tarnished on air, the black layer is silver sulfide, which is somewhat conductive. It can be best removed by household ammonia. After cleaning it evaporates by itself (but can be flushed with IPA). Finally apply some contact spray (my favourite is Kontakt 61).
I found a very comprehensive article on the subject:
https://electrolurgy.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Use-of-Silver-in-Connector-Applications-M-Myers.pdf
I found a very comprehensive article on the subject:
https://electrolurgy.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Use-of-Silver-in-Connector-Applications-M-Myers.pdf