Recommendation request for tube sockets

[Redhat]

Does anyone have any feelings regarding various types of tube sockets?

What are the advantages/disadvantages of the various types. I'd always heard ceramic was best, but I see other types are more expensive.

Thanks,

Redhat

[tubeswell]

Ceramic is the most heat resistant, but the ceramic sockets I have seen (and used) have really crappy pins. The Belton sockets aren't ceramic, but they are a good compromise.

[daz]

As far as i'm concerned, belton is THE socket. granted, i don't know how they are compared to some of the others guys here use. But before i started building a few amps i owned a stupid amount of production amps over the years and these beltons i used to build with are far superior than the sockets in any amps i've owned.

That said, the only criteria i use to determine whats good is how well the socket grips the pins and how many times you can change tubes before they start losing thier grip. i've swapped out the tubes in my home brews literally hundreds of times and the sockets remain just like new. couldn't ask for more IMO. Now if there is anything else to consider i can't comment. But i have found zero to complain about with belton. I really wish the ceramics had better pin retainers because i love thier look. But when i asked the same question you did a couple years ago, everyone said exactly what tubeswell did, and most recommended belton.

[jrfrond]

The Belton sockets are the best, but over the long haul, ceramic is the most resistant to carbonizing. That being said, there are still plenty of old Amphenol and Cinch bakelite sockets kicking around with no issues whatsoever. That was when tube sockets were built like brick sh*thouses!