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Hand-Builders of Fine Music-Reproduction Equipment Precision Electro-Acoustic Research Laboratory

86008, 2106 33 Ave. SW, Calgary, AB; CAN T2T 1Z6
Ph: +. 1. 403.244. 4434 Fx: +. 1. 403.244. 7134
Web: http: // www. pearl - hifi . com
E-mail: custserv@pearl - hifi . com
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AN 6.2 - Page 1 ! !
T
HE PURPOSE of this monograph is to outline in
general the mechanisms of microphonic-sig-
nal generation within electronic equipment; within
vacuum tubes in particular and to explain how these
can be suppressed to a worthwhile degree in tube
equipment.
One can go to terric extremes in the selection of
top-quality components and masterfully execute a
superb circuit topology yet still nish up some dis-
tance from ultimate circuit performance if the fac-
tors affecting the mechanical performance of sus-
ceptible components have not been carefully taken
into consideration.
The extent to which high-delity music repro-
duction is adversely affected by microphonic conta-
mination appears to have been largely overlooked in
the great majority of present commercial offerings,
although the reasons for this are, to this observer,
not particularly clear.
Microphonic output results from the mechanical
stimulation of components and is sometimes deter-
mined to originate from surprising sources. To name
but a few, resistors, capacitors, transformers, cable,
tubes, switches, connectors, and relays are capable of
creating spurious microphonic signals.
Almost always, such spuriae are generated by
some change in the relative position of the mechani-
cal elements composing a device.
Vacuum tubes, which employ electrostatic elds
to control electron ow, are by the nature of their
physical construction, particularly capable produc-
ers of microphonic outputs. This can occur because
the gridsthe electrostatically operated gates that
control electron ow through the tubeare physi-
cally very ne structures and quite responsive to
subtle mechanical stimuli. For example, the grid in
each triode section of the commonly used dual-tri-
ode, 6DJ 8, is wound with wire that is nearly invisible
to the naked eye.
A grid can be thought to resemble a miniature
harp that has all of its strings tuned to approxi-
mately the same note. When a mechanical stimulus
of the right frequency induces vibration in the tube
structure, the turns of ne grid wire can be set into
resonance. Like a harp, they will sing their own song
for some time after the stimulus has passed.
Since the ow of electrons through the tube is a
function of both the controlling voltage applied to
the grid and the grids physical position within the
tube, a change in either of these parameters will
cause a change in current ow and, consequently, the
appearance of an output signal. Microphonic output
will result if the grid suffers a physical displacment
with respect to the cathode. Such movement will take
place when the tube is subjected to vibrational stim-
uli orsomewhat surprisinglyas a result of the
tubes normal operation in a vibrationally silent
environment. See AN 28.0, Dynamic Compression
and Self-Microphony in Triodes for more on this
The suppression of microphonic output requires
that mechanical vibration be prevented from reach-
ing the tube. So with this goal in mind, the PEARL
Iso-Socket was designed.
While some equipment designers have tried to
reduce microphonic effects by the (usually not very)
compliant mounting of tube laden circuit boards,
this is, at best, a partial solution. Acoustic energy
can still act on the circuit board stimulating its self-
resonant modes which are not likely to be well
damped by the compliant board-mounting. Via their
sockets, vibrational energy reaches and acts on the
tubes through a sort of sounding-board effect.
A more effective solution is to mechanically isolate
the tube socket from the surface to which its mounted
and this is exactly what an Iso-Socket does.
The sonic improvements that accrue from this
are numerous and worth discussing in some detail.
Generally, it can be said that small changes in
signal level are more clearly delineated. Some of the
effects of this are heard as greater dynamic contrast,
improved inter-transient silence and a heightening
of contrast among the various musical colors. The
sound assumes a more relaxed quality while musical
climaxes are handled with less apparent effort.
Subtle changes in tempo, intonation and phras-
ing are effortlessly reproduced. One is struck by the
feeling of having missed much of the emotional con-
tent of a given performance on previous listenings
Getting the Shake & Rattle Out of Your Rock & Roll
:
Suppressing Microphonic Output From Vacuum-Tube Equipment
Hand-Builders of Fine Music-Reproduction Equipment Precision Electro-Acoustic Research Laboratory.
2106 33 Ave. SW, Calgary, AB; CAN T2T 1Z6
Ph: +.1.403.244.4434 Fx: +.1.403.244.7134
Web: http://www.pearl -hifi .com
E-mail: custserv@pearl -hifi .com
AN 6.2 - Page 2 ! !
where microphonic effects have been at work.
I n particular, the lower registers are presented
more clearly, with greater impact yet with an engag-
ing immediacy and warmth. The loose, much reviled
tube-bass sound essentially vanishes. (Largely, its
presence appears to be an effect of cathode reso-
nances. See Audio Note 8.1, The Measurement of
Microphonic Effects in Vacuum Tubes.) The sonic
character of the recording venue is more apparent
while the performance as a whole is presented
against a quieter, blacker background.
Your present tube gear may be of the highest cal-
iber yet if you are still listening to the ringing reso-
nances of the tubes modulating the music, you are
missing much of the beautiful reproduction that, to
date, only tubes can offer. Given that the apprecia-
tion of such musical beauty is the reason for owning
tube gear in the rst place, is there any reason to
continue listening to microphonic effects?
The I so-Socket is available in 7- and 9-pin types
suitable for pc-board mounting only. Horizontal- or
vertical-mounting types are produced in the follow-
ing variations:
7-pin horizontal and vertical types, low-
prole, gold contacts only.
9-pin horizontal and vertical types, low-
prole, gold contacts only.
9-pin vertical types, standard-prole, silver
contacts only.
The low-prole devices accommodate equip-
ment where very little increase in the seated height of
the tube is permissible. The mechanical stops pro-
vided in the vertical types prevent over-stressing of
the decoupling elastomers when inserting or remov-
ing tubes, while those in the horizontal types act only
to limit over-stress on tube removal. Dimension
drawings of all of these types appear overleaf. Only
the low-profile socket types use gold-plated beryl-
lium-copper contact ngers within each pin recepta-
cle. These are press-tted into a precisely machined
body of standard, unclad, G10 PC-board material
The standard-prole device uses heavily silver-
plated, hard-brass contacts contai ned wi thi n a
ceramic body. We think the silver-contact devices
sound slightly better than the gold-plated units,
although the difference is subtle and likely to be
heard only on systems of exceptional resolving power.
APPL I CATI ON NOTE
I t should be noted that the silver-plated brass
contacts are very stiff, and insertion or removal of
the tubes requires considerable force. We recom-
mend that you rmly grasp the socket body when
changing tubes even though there are mechanical
stops built into its suspension system. Further, care
should always be taken to ensure that the pins on all
tubes are straight and clean before attempting inser-
tion into any sort of socket.
AN 6.2 - Page 3 ! !
PC Pads
& Traces
.39"
Leads not
show n
.84" .31"
Leads not show n
.150"
.650"
Leads not show n
.150"
.650"
.84"
.31"
Leads not
show n
Fig. 1. The seated height of a standard,PC m ounted 7 /9-pin tube
socket is show n above.U se this to gauge the increase in the seated
height oftubes tted into any ofthe ISO -SO C KETS show n on this page.
Fig. 2. The low pro le,PC m ounting,vertical ISO -SO C K ET is show n
above.The contacts are gold plated brass,the socket body is blue
G 10 berglass and Sorbothane is used is used for the decoupling
elastom er.
Fig. 3. The standard pro le, PC m ounting, vertical ISO -SO C K ET is
show n above.The contacts are silver plated brass,the socket body
is w hite ceram ic and Sorbothane is used is used for the decoupling
elastom er
Fig. 4. The low pro le,PC m ounting,horizontal ISO -SO C K ET is show n
above.The contacts are gold plated brass,the socket body is blue
G 10 berglass and silicone foam is used is used for the decoupling
elastom er
Fig. 5. The standard pro le,PC m ounting,horizontal ISO -SO C K ET is
show n above.The contacts are silver plated brass,the socket body
is w hite ceram ic and silicone foam is used is used for the decou-
pling elastom er
APPE NDI X 1.
I SO-SOCK E T di mensi oned dr awi ngs.
AN 6.2 - Page 4 ! !
.31"
.84"
.86"
Socket uses the original
holes in the chassis
4-40
m achine
screw s
Leads not
show n
.31"
Socket uses
the original
holes in the
chassis
4-40
m achine
screw s
Leads not
show n
.84"
.86"
`Fig. 6 The standard pro le,chassis m ounting,vertical ISO -SO C KET is
show n above.The contacts are silver plated brass,the socket body is
w hite ceram ic and Sorbothane is used is used for the decoupling elas-
tom er. The socket is supplied fully assem bled w ith the flex leads
threaded though the holes in but not soldered onto the hollow,turret
term inals.N ote that the insulation on the leads is solder strippable.
See A N 7.1 ISO-SOCKET Installation Instructions for com plete direc-
tions on the m ethod to use to dress the leads.
Fig. 7 The standard profile, chassis m ounting, horizontal ISO -
SO C K ET is show n above.The contacts are silver plated brass,the
socket body is w hite ceram ic and silicone foam is used is used for
the decoupling elastom er.The socket is supplied fully assem bled
w ith the ex leads threaded though the holes in but not soldered
onto the hollow, turret term inals. N ote that the insulation on the
leads is solder strippable.
See A N 7.1 ISO-SOCKET Installation Instructions for com plete
directions on the m ethod to use to dress the leads.