[R-390] (no subject)

[Tim Shoppa]

> going with the tan, mica-filled Bakelite -- less likelihood of cracking
> or something?

I've homebrewed several doohickeys using ceramic PCB-mount tube sockets,
and despite me dropping them onto the floor a couple of times they've
never shown any sign of damage.

What I really like about them is that the pin sockets are much less
wiggly than a typical Bakelite or phenolic socket.  The PCB mount
ones I have were made out of two ceramic parts: before riveting
the top to the bottom, the individual pin sockets seem to have
been inserted.  While there's still a little bit of wiggle it's
not much at all.

The downside would be that it's not possible to replace individual
pin sockets.  (Well, maybe I could unrivet the two halves... but
that seems too much work!)

Any recommendations for places to shop for tube sockets?  AES
(http://www.tubesandmore.com/) has a very wide range, but I wonder
what else is out there.  I did once get some from an outfit called
"The Triode Store" but I haven't looked at what else they have lately.

Tim.