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Cryo Treatment: does it provide improvements in sound or longevity?

I'd be interested in hearing from audiophiles that have actually tried Cryogenic treated tubes and listened to them vs non-treated. 

I would really prefer not to hear from folks from a theoretical point of view, or that have no experience.

The last time I bought a set of tubes for my amp, just for fun I got the Cryogenic treated ones. They are replacements on my Audio Research Ref 160s. My KT150s were approaching the end of life and I heard them getting hard sounding. So I switched them out. The new tubes immediately restored the amp to its beautiful normal sound. I heard no difference from Cryo... although if it was subtle... no way I would... this was no purposeful comparison. I guess I'll have to wait 3,000 hours to see if they last longer. 

Just wondering if someone with good equipment and a trained ear has done listening tests (not measurements) and made a conclusion. 

ghdprentice
glennewdick's avatar
glennewdick
1,982 posts
 

https://www.effectrode.com/knowledge-base/cryogenic-treatment-of-tubes-an-engineers-perspective/

bolong
964 posts
 

The pair of CryoTone 12au7 tubes i ordered for the input positions in my Primaluna 400 preamp are supposed to arrive in a few days. They will be competing with the current pair of Brimar CV4003's from Upscale Audio. These tubes are no slouch, so it will be interesting to see how they compare.

The shipping delay was apparently due to an upgrading of equipment at the factory

One would have to assume that any verification of process would have to come from a third party inspection or process monitoring. Doubt that is included with the tubes.

faustuss's avatar
faustuss
846 posts
 

"@faustuss but you’re now one of us with your 234 responses since March of this year, as well as your multiple virtual systems - “you people” now includes you my friend. Too much of your time has been invested into this site that you now dislike.

Let your hair down and continue to mingle on this website that looks and functions like it’s from 1999. Pockets of new knowledge are always found when looking over posts that may seem regurgitated."

Lovely systems @toro3, beautiful home! Love your dog, is he/she a rescue?

faustuss's avatar
faustuss
846 posts
 

"Love your dog, is he/she a rescue?"

Sorry @toro3, didn't see the caption. Stole your heart!

bolong
964 posts
 

Mullard Cryotubes

I'll take those one at a time....

I can provide the fact my Mother worked for Mullard (Blackburn) in the 1960s and 1970s on dedicated valve lines that used cryo treatment to Mil-spec valves - then I worked for Philips Electronics for over 12 years and learnt of the work they did (in conjunction with Amperex) to produce cryo valves for the Dutch Navy and Air force in the 1950s, 10960s and early 1970s

Annoyingly, documentation for what was once regarded as classified information is thin on the ground - but the many reference charts and booklets that outline the use of Red, Green, Black and Yellow paint to Mil-spec and Med-spec valves to denote improved design, rare metals and cryo treatment is evidence you'll have to take (or not take)


Thank You....and you too

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