trouble inserting preamp tube

[Electric Lettuce]

Hi everyone, I’m a newbie to the tube amp world. Sorry if this is posted to the wrong place.  I cannot for the life of me get my preamp tube to sit flush against the socket. I’m afraid of breaking the tube if I push it more than I already have. If the tube is up about a 1/4 inch can this affect audio quality or cause damage?  Any tricks for getting the tube in easier?  Thank you so much for any advice!

P.s. I have tried multiple preamp tubes in that socket
     Everything sounds fine and there is no distortion

[Thermioniclife]

Hey,
I would think that there is something inside one or more of the pin sockets.
have you looked down inside the sockets with a light?
It's doubtful that solder has flowed in them as the solder tabs are pretty much sealed from the pin sockets.
I guess its possible that a pin socket is deformed also.
Bust out a magnifier and a light and take a gander.
Good luck.

[grufti]

I would do the visual inspection and then pick out a cheap 9 pin tube and use that to find out, just how hard you have to push to get it to seat properly. I would spare the Telefunken that is showing in your picture.

Small tubes are pretty robust. You can even rock the tube side to side to a degree, if pushing straight doesn't get you anywhere. Don't use a hammer.

Having the tube sit a bit high makes no difference at all to the audio quality as long as all pins make contact and they do in your case as "everything sounds fine".

[fullheadofnothing]

My vote goes for push it harder. The first time I ever put a tube into a socket I was surprised by how much force it required. Also a new socket will be stiffer than one that's been used, so expect it to get easier with age and use.

[EricS]

If the tube is making contact and operating properly, I'd suggest just leaving things alone - provided you don't find any obvious obstruction.  Given that you posted a few days ago, has anything turned up as in the way?