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Octal Sockets

Discussion in 'Shock Brother's DIY Amps' started by Jammin'John, Feb 28, 2014.

  1. Feb 28, 2014 #1
    Jammin'John

    Jammin'John Friend of Leo's

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    2,030
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    Mar 20, 2003
    Location:
    Tug Hill Plateau
    Hi guys.
    I'm looking for info on the best quality octal sockets.
    I'm running KT120 on down to 6l6 in SE.
    Big current,big voltage.
    Who makes the best ?

    JJ
     
  2. Feb 28, 2014 #2
    6942

    6942 Poster Extraordinaire

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    Santa Fe, NM
    Best current production Octal sockets:

    Belton

    Best NOS Octal sockets:

    Amphenol
     
  3. Feb 28, 2014 #3
    muchxs

    muchxs Doctor of Teleocity

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    13,171
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    Aug 14, 2004
    Location:
    New England
    Depends.

    IMO the best NOS are Elco. Milspec ceramic with silver plated full ring contacts... what's not to like? I have about two dozen I'm jealously hoarding. I've used the rest. Eby, Cinch, Amphenol. They all have their assets.

    It helps to dichotomize by type. Bakelite or ceramic? Ceramic gets a bad rap lately because so many cheap imports are ceramic. Amphenols are cool but I don't like ring mounts. There are half a dozen different styles of Amphenol octals including ring mounts. A lot of the remaining NOS Amphenols are ring mounts. Still don't like the ring mounts.

    Best of new production are Belton and Omron. A heads up: These are metric relay sockets. They're designed to fit a 30mm hole. Otherwise they're similar to vintage Amphenol. And the winner is...

    Omron because they're most similar to the same style vintage Amphenol.

    You really, really need to specify which chassis you're using because octals are not all alike. There's 1" hole, 1 1/8" hole and a few oddball Amphenols that are 1 1/16". The typical guitar amp mounting centers are 1 1/2" over a 1 1/8" hole except '60s and '70s Fender uses 1" hole with the wider 1 /2" mounting centers usually seen with a 1 1/8" hole.

    Belton and Omron are 30mm with nominally 1 1/2" mounting centers. The mounting holes are oval to accommodate both inch and metric applications. I should say "Imperial" and metric 'cuz "Imperial" has a certain regal tone to it. :lol:
     
  4. Mar 3, 2014 #4
    Jammin'John

    Jammin'John Friend of Leo's

    Posts:
    2,030
    Joined:
    Mar 20, 2003
    Location:
    Tug Hill Plateau
    What is better in a socket,fork contacts or sleeve contacts ?
    I heard:
    The best ones are made buy Belton and the material is "Micalex". opinions on micalex ?
    The chassis has not been chosen yet.
    We are still tossing around the build.
    If I go all the way it will run either 2 x 6l6,KT66,77 or 1 x KT88,120
    Either/or.
    If I bail on that idea it will be 1 x 6l6,KT66,77
    I looked at:
    http://www.partsconnexion.com/BELTON-75292.html
    http://angela.com/eightpinbeltonmicalexoctalchassismounttubesocket.aspx
    http://angela.com/eightpintubesocketpremiumceramicsilver.aspx

    JJ
     
  5. Mar 4, 2014 #5
    FenderLover

    FenderLover Poster Extraordinaire

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    Jun 11, 2009
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    Minnesota
    I like anything ceramic as long as it has a sleeve contact.
     
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