I resoldered the filament pins on the ailing 3-500Z, and then put it in the
opposite socket, thinking that the spring tension might be better there. I
also rebent the spring clips on the original socket and cleaned and treated
the filament pins with Caig ProGold GxL, which is rated for use up to 400C.
When I fired the amp up, with the originally OK tube in the not-OK socket,
I was surprised to see that tube's filament was noticeably brighter than
the other one. So I repeated the ProGold treatment on the other socket,
and the filament brightness equalized at the higher level. Then I turned
on the amp, and was startled to see that my output had increased 100 watts,
with the same drive and other conditions.
I don't quite understand what's going on here. From time to time I've
heard amazing things about Caig's products, such as Deoxit, but this was a
new one on me. What's the physical explanation, if any?
73, Pete N4ZR
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