[RodB]

Tim,

I have some bakelite sockets in my work shop that I can dig up. I believe quite a few are NOS. I will take photos tomorrow and if you're interested you can have them for the cost of shipping.

[RodB]

Tim - Photos of 8 octal tube sockets. (Top and bottom)
   
   
Send me a PM if you're interested.

[TV MAN]

Thanks Rod for the offer but I don't think those would work. There's some differences in the sizing and mounting holes between China (slotted screw holes) and NOS USA tube sockets. I've tried some others and nothing lines up. I'd have to pull parts and grind my tube socket holes larger. I do have some ceramic ones coming in from over seas that measure correctly. I ordered several different types so hopefully I'll get something that will work.

[TV MAN]

I got some new ceramic octal tube sockets installed and also tried some different coupling caps. 
The results: 
The good - both tubes light up   
The bad - sounds awful!

Ok, so just why? Maybe my coupling caps. I tried some generic yellow .33 caps that came with a kit. I wasn't super pleased with the brown drop caps I had in there previously, so I tried those. So, I'll try something else. Maybe some of those highly sought after leaky bumble bees I'll also use some socket adapters and check voltages so I can see if the new sockets are working. Voltages at the pins check ok. May be time to break out the scope again. It'd be great for a guitar player - just the right distortion, but for HiFi - not so much.

[RodB]

You sound guys are never satisfied.