Best 12ax7s 50 each sound the best. The Mazda's are wonderful musical sounding tubes that rank sonicly with the best legendary NOS 12au7's/12ax7's and I would recommend if you use either of these tubes in your system to audition the Mazda's for the above stated reasons. Sound better. Each 12AX7 is two triodes in one envelope. in there. For instance, black and long plates are known for their warm, rich tone that many players find pleasing for genres that benefit from a fuller sound. Vintage/Modern I DGAF WHAT ARE THE BEST TUBES. The $55 tube apparently measured better in some way. Mar 22, 2013 · The purpose of this comparison is simply to provide guitar players with a frame of reference to help in finding the best current production 12AX7 for their needs. Posted October 4, 2005. This graph is based on the average gain and noise measured Feb 18, 2025 · Man, for the small price difference, that is not so small these days, I am hunting for some old stock 12AX7s. How to remove microphony of tubes once and for all Jan 21, 2013 · Black Plate triple Mica -military 5751 - same review as the non-military version however, this is a supreme quiet tube. The tube selection - GEC CV4085 and the Mullard "long mesh" were the best - played a big role in the sound quality. I was not able to test Brimar UK or Smooth plate Telefunken East Germany because I only had one of each type. Long life and super detail and balance sounding. Dec 1, 2010 · I tried a set that were being sent around for review, and they were exceptional tubes, by far the best 12AX7s I've ever run (in a Dynaco PAS-3x and in a variety of vintage guitar amps). I would like to try the mullard long plates some day. Jan 29, 2025 · Investing in the best 12ax7s that you can afford will pay off in this location. A stock vintage amp may not be good enough to clearly hear the differences in 12AX7 tubes, but new tube amps that use the best parts and most do are certainly clear enough sounding. Not real expensive and as good as the best NOS stuff out there. another? Jan 17, 2021 · I got some used old stock tested good Tele ribbed plate 12AX7s for the C220, sounded better but I wanted more resolution/"crispness" to the sound. It was just the lack of detail that stopped the Pvane running with the best of the vintage 12AX7s. Mar 16, 2015 · 12AX7 TUBES AND VARIANTS: Telefunken E83CC Regarded as the best. May 4, 2023 · In this article, we share the best 12AX7 tubes at each price point. Both the 12Ax7A and 12Ax7 tubes have a gain of 100 mu. Despite tt lacks the mesmerizing quality of the TAD RT011-HG it delivers more open, dynamic and cleaner sound. That amp is all screamer and i love love love the clean sound but actually wanted to try a little less gain to get more usable crunch sounds while May 18, 2002 · The best part, I got them for $10 on Ebay. The JJ was my favourite and I use it exclusively when I'm dealing very sensitive circuits. My amp is modified with best parts and crystal clear audio. 241. Nov 2, 2009 · 12ax7s, ecc83s= spécial, généralement disposant de dispositifs pour éviter les bruits. However, nothing lasts forever. Search titles only By: Search Advanced search… The most important aspect of choosing a 12AX7 tube is your personal preference. Naturally, I looked at Groove Tubes first, but the Ampeg Tech Rep said that he thought that the Electro-Harmonix were the best way to go. e83cc : appellation propre à Tesla et adoptée par d’autres pour des tubes de très haute qualité. Extremely rare 12AX7-S tubes made by La Radiotechnique France . The "EH" simply stands for Electro Harmonix. Feb 16, 2024 · IMO these rival some of the best old production 12ax7s. May 21, 2010 · The least noisy twin triode, used to be the 6EU7,but it has a 6 Volt filament. The best new production small signal tube I have tried. Most won't notice it as I'm ocd. I know most of the desirable NOS names but for this thread I'm thinking modern reasonably priced candidates. May 19, 2008 · I very much liked the vintage Tele 12AX7 tube in my old MC30 and MC60 amps, where they added a bit of life and sparkle, but they just sound edgy on top and, surprisingly to me, boomy on bottom in this modern preamp. All plucked from tube lots purchased at pretty low prices about 10 years ago. Mar 8, 2012 · I am a huge fan of the cleans on the mesa, it's my first and always roped them in as a heavy metal amp, not the case with a lot of them. " While it is true that a PARTICULAR BRAND/VINTAGE variant can be better IN YOUR EQUIPMENT, there are a lot of poorly made and mediocre sounding variants of many types of tubes. made tubes for consistency and longevity. Location: California. Preamp tubes don't wear out like power tubes. the Telefunkens are very very expensive however. Thanks for visiting. Jan 26, 2015 · 6. For example, many tout the superiority of the 5751 in my EAR phone pre. I guess I will just tube roll a bunch and see what sounds best, currently there was a mesa branded E. I ordered a set of supposed NOS RCA black plate 12ax7s from a tube dealer who a lot of people on this site recommend ( not Kevin Deal), and they became uselessly noisy within less than 3 weeks. Apr 13, 2011 · Wow-- a lot to mull over. As far as JJ preamp tubes Jun 16, 2004 · "The best 12ax7s I've experienced for high gain amplifiers is those Shuguang 9th gen. Steve Hoffman Your host Your Host. Buy a bunch of modern production ones and do some tube rolling and find the one best for that amp. Same thing with some modern Electro-Harmonix 12AX7s - they were way too bright but unlike the Teles they thinned out the bass too Sep 19, 2022 · The bass was excellent, there was a distinct lack of glare unlike some lesser "solid-state in a bottle" new production tubes. Generally half the price of 12AX7s, clean all day and all night. The markings on mine were a bit different and it's hard to tell from your photos about construction, are they shiny nickel plates? Oct 17, 2016 · If you mean the European 1950s longplate I agree with everything you said. Any opinions on what the warmest (best) sounding new production 12AX7 is? I normally roll with 1957 Mullard long plates with square getters. I've run vintage Mullards, Telefunkens, RCA's, GE's, EI's, Sovtek, low-end Chinese, etc. Reinhold Bogner praises those tubes for the Order JJ ECC83-S / 12AX7 preamp vacuum tubes in stock and ready to ship! Find reviews, data sheets and specs to upgrade your tube amplifier. Sonically, how crucial is this tube in this application; is it worth spending more than 12-15 dollars on a 12at7? Seems like there's a bunch of affordable options from various makers. Some people also spend ridiculous amounts of money on NOS tubes - but I think you should enjoy your amp the way it is for now. The TJ's were remarkably better than all of them. It effectively lessens properties like noisy floor and tone. Should you find your Twin Tube Classic in need of new tubes (e. Lucky me. Their 12AX7s are not regarded as the best for your amp. A pair of RCA 7025s, RCA long gray plates, Mullard CV4004s, and Amperex ECC83s. They last many more years and seem to universally sound better. Posted by delCretin on October 11, 2004 at 19:47:09 In Reply to: Re: best 12ax7s (new), 12au7s and 5751 for Conrad Johnson PV12 posted by Eli Duttman on October 11, 2004 at 18:37:52: May 8, 2011 · Things may be different with the Svetlana 12AX7s out there today. If you're lookin' for clean go with GE 5751s. If anyone has experience or good luck with a certain 12ax7 for reverb driver I'm all ears. I would say they were the best 12ax7s I've heard, with the possible exception of the nickel-plate Mazdas. The best place to start if you're new is right below in our "Rules" section. Battle of the Boards 2025! What are the BEST 12ax7s? This is the most common of the Japanese 12AX7s, and is a fantastic tube. It looks very similar (if not identical) to many other Chinese 12AX7s variants triple mica spacers, single halo getter etc. e. Member List; Calendar; Latest Posts; Forum; Amplifier Central; Talk with your fellow tone freaks on the web's liveliest (and friendliest!) tone forum. Messages 5,219. Jul 27, 2001 · I've tried various tubes in SWR preamps and have settled on 1950's RCA blackplate 12AX7's as being the best sounding IMO. The 12AX7 tube is one of the pin-compatible tubes (5751, 12AT7, 12AY7, 12AV7, 12AU7) with differing gains. La Radiotechnique used Philips parts (Like Mullard & Amperex) to produce some of the Apr 20, 2010 · Was wondering if anyone has done any comparison of the smooth vs. Much quieter than the standard 12AX7s, and they last forever. If it amplifies a signal, this is the place! This is one of the best 12AX7 for any guitar amp. Give me an RCA or Raytheon 1950s black plate 12ax7 over a Tele any day. Got some Tesla NOS then new Gold Lion 12AX7s, which sounded the best of all, but still wanted something more. S. Supposedly lower noise and warm tone which makes me cautious as warm often equates to dark and muddy blanket over the speakers tone ie JJ tubes. The power tubes are Electro Harmonix EL84s, and the preamp tubes are 2 Tung-Sol 12ax7s and a Chinese 12ax7. Apr 1, 2021 · However I think he missed some of the best 12ax7s out there. But gain all the positives of the amperex. Late 50s Mullards are also amazing! It's a sad thing that we will never see tubes like these again. 95 . Dec 8, 2011 · The Tung-Sol 12AX7s were the best sounding tube in the AF-amp tube positions of most of my amps tested thus far: Scott 296, McIntosh MC275, Pilot SA-260, Altec 353A, and McIntosh MX110 (V15). Apr 13, 2018 · I read on here actually about the Shuguang Silver Dragons which are a 12AX7B tube with a shiny silver cap. Two EL84s and three 12AX7s. Very smooth rich tone, good sound staging, not the last word in detail. I used one in my preamp stage for years before I got the Mullard. And for $30-ish or so you can get some great 12AX7s. Each. Apr 13, 2018 · I'm curious about the TAD 7025WA too. Sovtek 7025/12AX7WA Russian manufacturer Sovtek has built a great reputation for their tubes, and the Sovtek 7025/12AX7WA lives up to that reputation. I've never understood that. lacked some dynamic impact and too much top end in my application (ProAc Studio 200 speakers, Counterpoint SA-3000 pre) Sep 9, 2013 · Perhaps not the best 12AX7s of all time, but they seem passable. It combines the excellence in the upper midrange of Blackburn U. Telefunken ECC83s (very good), and Telefunken ECC803S (the best). Finally back in stock! I have most of the best vintage 12ax7s and these JJ-E83CC are fully competitive, you might prefer certain vintage tubes, but you might also like these better. Try the JJ, you will tank me later. Guitars: electric, acoustic; accessories; and other musical instruments. They are the best 12AU7 and 12AX7s out there. The best vintage IMO is the Mullard long plate 12AX7 However I was stunned when I tried a JJ E83CC. Gold Lion ECC83 / 12AX7 / CV4004 . Dec 5, 2014 · While Tung-Sol made some outstanding tubes, their 12AX7s are not among them. ),if you really want to have a low noise floor. When in non-linear land (as in an overdriven guitar preamp) the differences become more pronounced - and this is circuit dependent, so eg an inexpensive chinese new production tube might sound the best in a particular use case. This is the most important tube noise-wise (and tone-wise), which is why it's in the met May 16, 2010 · Here's the thing, I have noticed over time that some 12AX7's are substantially quieter than others. Re: best 12ax7s (new), 12au7s and 5751 for Conrad Johnson PV12 66. The Ken-Rad was one of the first 12AX7s, (black plate or otherwise), dating around 1949. This JJ amplifier tube provides smooth and warm tones with reduced microphony and noise. Jul 25, 2019 · 12AX7s. In the past, experimenting with new production 12AX7 tubes gave me the impression that they had a fake sounding warmth Dec 11, 2007 · I think there was one person who said he had tried them out, and heard little difference between them and the regular EH tubes. Tung-Sol 12AX7 (ECC83) Preamp Vacuum Tube (41 Reviews) Aug 24, 2007 · Looking for opinions on some good 12ax7s for a HRD DLX (to replace the groove tubes). Jul 25, 2016 · I seem to be able to buy used US made 12ax7s for about what new Chinese and Russian 12ax7s cost. Tube Depot carries a selection of 12AX7 / ECC83 / 7025 / CV4004 Pre Amp Vacuum Tubes. All Jul 1, 2020 · RFT 12AX7s are sometimes branded as RFT, Tesla, Telefunken, Tronal, Globus, Amperex, United and others, and some just with a funny symbol. The JJ E83CC and the EH 7025. Nov 9, 2003 · So far I have tryed the Telefunken NOS, Dutch Amperex NOS, RCA, GE, Tesla, Sovtek (WA, WB and LPS versions), Ei and Electo-Harmonix. They will forget all the Bullshit of the day, and head directly home to try them out. Oct 26, 2020 · I would not worry about KT88 supplies. 6-0. Manufacturers of black plate 12AX7s included: RCA, Sylvania, Tung-Sol, Raytheon and Ken-Rad. , exhibiting erratically fluctuating signal levels, spurious ga('ec:addProduct', { 'id': 'PS2-12AX7-S. Seller stated Telefunken 803s are not as good at $1K+ each. Here are three of the best 12AX7s on the market today. I do not hear much difference in the gray or black long plate, but the black plate have a tendency to get noisy whereas the gray plate does not. Shuagang 12AX7B 10. Good high performance RCA 12AT7 are not expensive, so squirrel away the RCA 12AT7. I will say it's fun rolling 12ax7s in the overdrive section of my Frenzel. Are you looking for the very best 12AX7 preamp tubes for your amplifier? This is the place to start. g. I only liked five 12AX7s. Those tubes are low noise, low microphonics and have quite a bit of gain and clarity, they just seem to work the best for high gain amplification. Some people change the Chinese one for a Tung-Sol. Aug 19, 2017 · Anyway guys. In overdrive, it is smooth and strong with well defined lows and Mids. An excellent choice for high fidelity applications. K. Philips-Mullard made lots of valves for other brands. most stages have a gain factor of 30 to 40 with a 12AX7 that has 100 gain factor in it. Excellent low and high end. Since all brand names can be found on different variants of 12AX7s, you have to know what to look for inside the glass. The purpose of this comparison is simply to provide guitar players with a frame of reference to help in finding the best current production 12AX7 for their needs. Preferred by Teletronix and used in original Feb 5, 2018 · Most gear sounds best with RCA grey or black long plate 12AX7. Even so I would not consider using valves in a moving coil pre,pre-amp stage (Head Amp. The 6021 tubes will typically last many times longer than even the best 12AX7s. Newer amps like this are designed around new production, easily available tubes, so that may end up being your best option. However, in reality there are comparative gain differences amoung 12AX7s. You throw a 12AX7 in your PI slot with a 0. New & NOS tubes from Tung-Sol, Electro-Harmonix, JJ & more! Jul 30, 2008 · The tubes your AC15 came with are really quite good. Also, most circuits don't use all that gain, typically having a gain of about 1/2 or less that of the tubes natural gain factor. But which are the best 12AX7 tubes, and what should you pick? And even though it’s as popular as it is, most people know very little about them. Mazda was same company but different labels, and could be made anywhere. the Ribbed tells are very different than the smooth plates. So I found so old JJ's and put those in, and it was alot quieter. But the best 12AX7s are becoming scare and future availability is questionable. For what it's worth, I use the best old stock I can afford, like Tung Sol, Telly, Amperex, Mullard, etc. A new take on the classic 12AX7 preamp tube. Dec 21, 2023 · There's 2 current production tubes that are really great in a phone pre. Electro-Harmonix 12AX7 Preamp Vacuum Tube (18 Reviews) USD $29. My tubes shipped about two weeks later. The JJ 83s has nice extended bottom and top. For instance: "The best 12AX7 is a 5751, the best 12AT7 is "variant XYZ", etc. The LPS is simply a different Sovtek tube altogether (the best of the bunch). Just a hair of the telefunken midrange. I have a pair of RCA 5751s that the seller told me are very early production, with shiny black plates, "RCA" in tall white letters & extra mica spacers, but they sound SO different from 12AX7s in the Perpetuum that I emailed Kevin at Jenison Audio and he said that using 5751s won't harm the unit but absolutely This is a forum where guitarists, from novice to experienced, can explore the world of guitar through a variety of media and discussion. They are an interesting currency, i have been paid in 12AX7s and i have tipped people/ gifted people 12AX7s. Imo they're the best two 12ax7s in history. godofmetalguita. These are outstanding; one of the very best 12AX7s. Aug 16, 2009 · I have to replace the tubes in my 2006 (American) SVT 3-PRO. The tone necessarily is not better with a higher tone. In a console amp (Motorola, Maggie, etc. An excellent tube in all Marshall amps the 3 preamp positions. I would consider Valvo Hamburg 45 degree halo long plate 12AX7'sgetter tubes one of the "best of the best". H. Feb 9, 2009 · When in doubt check the specifications of the original manufacturer. My scott 299 calls for two 12ax7s and two 12ax7a's, and the non a's are what is specified in the phono preamp section. In the case of Sovtek, you probably don't want any of the WA, WB, or WXT for your amp. Jul 31, 2007 · I like these 12ax7s the best out of the newer tubes for high gain and actually i bought this 12at7 to take a little gain out of my PRS mt15 to make it a little more usable for more hard rock sounds. The Golden Lion 12AX7 short plate is one of the worst 12AX7s I ever heard with a boring and hazy sonic signature in a high quality amplifier. The midrange was also even as was the treble. I sure hope they don’t raise the prices, but I have some stashed along with some Mullard, Amperex, RCA and other NOS. Ideally, every 12AX7 should yield the same gain when placed in the same circuit. I much prefer the AC5 HG’s over the NOS in current high gain amps. 14mm-plate Mullards with an Amperex-like detail to the treble. Feb 20, 2018 · I’ve always said it, that the Ruby 12AX7B AC5 HG and the HG+ that Magic Parts grade for Ruby are the best new production tube I’ve found. Pay the price and buy Mullard 12AX7 long plates. And if someone insisted on new for a Mesa then I would get a Premium Mesa 12AX7 for about the $30 they are going for these days. 2', 'name': 'Psvane 12AX7-S Art-Series, gold-pin, matched PAIR (2 tubes)', 'category': 'Preamp tubes', 'brand': 'Psvane Jul 18, 2010 · For 12AX7s, folks really like NOS Telefunkens, Mullards, and various RCA or Amperexes. Jun 5, 2015 · Samples of the Sovtek 6H9C / 6SL7GT have shown very low intrinsic noise, comparable to the best 12AX7s tested, and 3dB lower than the Tung Sol Reissue 6SL7GT. Sep 8, 2013 · I have never heard the Mullard long plates but I have heard the RCA Long Plates and they are pretty good. Check out the following vacuum tube reviews for guidance in getting the best possible tone out of your tube gear. ) brings out the best of the best. Brimar were more consistent. Tubes or Solid State: All are welcome. Also included in this comparison are direct substitutes for the 12AX7 including: ECC83, ECC803, 7025 and 5751. May 17, 2011 · The flip side is that 12ax7s are cheap. This is a helpful page: 12AX7 Tubes in Stock Jan 9, 2010 · I've got a SFPR, and I'm popping in some new tung sol 12ax7s- I'd like to put a new 12at7 in V2 as well (reverb driver?). Best Seller. The 1950s Philips (and also Siemens) longplates are the best 12AX7s ever made in my opinion. The NECs appear to be made from 1960s GE plate stampers and mica cutters. 12AX7 preamp tubes play a remarkable, dynamic role in the creation of the final tone in your vacuum tube amplifier. Low noise , low microphony . I think they are the best deal on the market. Oct 14, 2020 · From 12AX7s to EL34s to KT66s, these are the best tubes you can find. Aug 20, 2018 · I used to have some, used some of them and then sold the rest. Even the ones in it might sound better. I have chosen to use a few new production tubes when vintage versions were too expensive or non existent, like the oddball JJ 6v6, JJ GZ34, and (old original) Svetlana KT88 I bought Oct 14, 2013 · Bingo!! At best you only need to buy 2 RCA 12AX7s, V1 & V2. One of most wanted 12AX7s. True, or bunch of {censored}e? Members; godofmetalguita. Jun 12, 2017 · The best 12AX7s I heard in a lot of phono stages are Westinghouse 12AX7 short plate with center bump on plate. For those not familiar with the brand, PrimaLuna gear has always been super easy on tubes, so investing in a good set of premium NOS (New Old Stock) tubes has always been solid thinking. Jul 22, 2014 · A Comparison of Current Production 12AX7 Tubes 2013 Graph Interpretation All 12AX7s have an amplification factor (μ) of 100 ("high-mu"). Mar 24, 2013 · Today, it is by far the most common preamp tube used for electric guitar amplification and there is an almost overwhelming supply of current production options to choose from. Those Tung-Sol could have been made by RCA for them. I did test Ei Yugoslavia smooth plates. This is the first gain stage for both the Normal and Top Boost channel. To my ears the Electro-Harmonix are very good but the inexpensive Ei 12AX7s that I bought from Parts Express for $6. Am currently running a nice 12ay7 NOS Tungsol in V1 (which I really like), GT 12ax7 in V2, and a sovtek 12ax7 in V3. 8 milliamps where 1. Different players value different tonal characteristics. Jul 28, 2014 · I don't know all the codes, but yes, I'd say that is an Amperex, and one of the best 12AX7s ever made. Chinese tubes. Feb 12, 2020 · Lots of choices for V1 of a Marshall. Mar 10, 2016 · How to Get the Best EF86 – A Tube Comparison August 25, 2015; The Strange Phenomenon of Musical ‘Skin Orgasms’ August 21, 2015; What it Takes to Make a Tube Amp July 31, 2015; Birth Of The Shuguang EL34-B Vacuum Tube July 15, 2015; 10 Year Old Girl Owns The Drums July 7, 2015; Speaker Cab & Head Impedance – Why Is It Important? June 26 Jul 17, 2018 · I have the Cayin A-50T and from the construction of them I'm pretty sure the stock Cayin-branded power tubes I got are Russian reissue El34s. They sounded ok but the Gold Lion KT77s are considerably better. While it uses the same rugged build and thick glass as other JJ preamp tubes, this tube differs in construction from the typical 12AX7 in that it features a medium-long plate, which provides a dynamic and open sound with a rich forward sounding mid range. You lose a hair. On the other hand, there were a number of posts saying the 12ax7 reissues were the best new production 12ax7s available. Best 12AX7s ever made by Mullard. The only way to be sure Mar 11, 2010 · I still love my long plates and now have a slightly different "flavor" to enjoy. I have been using the Ruby select 12AX7s exclusively in my Diezel and grabbed 10 of those Bs for $50 brand new. Jump to content. It also has a neutral but extended response at each end with a sweet midrange bloom and is just so spectacular compared to the best 12AX7s it is unbelievable. May 8, 2011 #3 I think the Sovtek LPS are the best 12ax7s made What is a 12AX7 tube? 12AX7 tube is a small signal dual-triode vacuum tube found in just about every tube gear today. I also tested RCA long black plate tubes being the best USA 12AX7s made here. 12AX7s are components, early in the circuit, that determine how clean or, how lush, layered and massive the high gain will be – not to mention all the tonal shades of grey in between like clipped, overdriven and crunch sounds. Electro Harmonix 12AX7-EH (Right here they get harsh and almost unusable for me) 9. Aug 16, 2017 · The best new production 12AX7s I've tried are the Tungsol reissues. Typically, a short plate Mullard or Amperex are great. All are welcome, from seasoned pros to absolute beginners. 52. 95 USD $25. As for new production 12ax7s, I’ll cast a vote for the Sophia Electric. 8mA output and you are 30% down on what the amp can do right off the bat. Jan 24, 2013 · Oh - sorry Jay - I thought you just picked the highest priced one on that auction site to suggest one needs to pay $300/pair for the BEST 12AT7 tube - sarcasm is often difficult to discern through on-line discussions. This is my first re-tube ever since owning my SVT. It came with EH 6L6s as power tubes. May 2, 2004 · This tube has a well balanced, colorful tone with strongly defined lows, mids and smooth highs. I have 60 year old ones that work. Jul 28, 2014 #3 jaymanaa said: Aug 25, 2001 · Nowadays, the letters seem to be used only to differentiate variations of tubes by a manufacturer. One Brimar was my best-ever ECC83, until it died. Dec 9, 2011 · The audiophile that was thrilled with the Golden Lion may have been lucky in that the circuit responded well to the Golden Lion 12AX7 or never heard high quality vintage 12AX7s. It allows for more clean head-room than higher gain 12AX7s. JJ 12AX7S-JJ 7. 12AX7 PREAMP TUBES. The smooth plates are the best 12ax7s I have heard. Jul 27, 2014 · Any recommendations for the best readily available gold pin 12ax7's? Best in terms of sound quality, build quality and endurance. Couldn't be happier with the sound. Feb 25, 2012 · They were actually out of 12AX7s when I first called and in process of onboarding tubes from the new supplier. Last longer. Your results may vary. If you have guitar related questions, use the "Search" field FIRST, Then ask the community. I'm not as enthusiastic about their 12AX7s. Mullard 12AX7/ECC83 (Russian reissue) 8. The JJ sounds very similar to the Mullard but projects much further into the room and the speakers just disappear. 3k Oct 17, 2007 · The first 12AX7s produced were all black plates, and are considered very desirable tubes due to their fantastic and sweet sound. May 2, 2010 · Was wondering if anyone has done any comparison of the smooth vs. Better than smooth or ribbed Telefunken, regular Mullard, RCA etc, as always in my opinion and in my system. It is very rich with great harmonics. I was working on my friends Matchless Spitfire and replaced the 12AX7s with some brand new either Sovteks or EH's (cant remember) and it was as extremely noisy and hissy. And possibly only V2 if you only use the Reverb channel. It is nice to be stocked up on 12AX7s, 12AT7s, and 12AU7s. Disclaimers: No tube is 100% perfect for all gear. Feb 5, 2013 · To be clear Tung-Sol 5881s are great and they last forever. I. Aug 3, 2018 · The Mullard 12AX7 long plate square getter is the best I ever heard. automojo, DrZhivago and fortherecord like Sep 20, 2022 · Negative feedback - several dB in this circuit - often reduces the sonic signature of a tube. An example of this came apparent to me when I built a triode-connected EF86 linestage. cv4004 = M8137 : box plates cv492 : version spéciale, haut-de-gamme A 250V/-2V Jul 13, 2024 · Thus I heard every 12AX7 ever made. The "-WA" suffix is the US military designation (rugged and low noise I think) whereas the European ones were called E83CC. I experimented moving them around to see what worked best where. There is a huge difference between Telefunken smooth and ribbed. Is the transconductance that much different from one production of 12ax7s vs. 2 milliamps is expected. Associated gear Mar 19, 2016 · I used to have a set of nickel-plate Mazda's, both eventually died. V1 - 12AX7 closest to the input. Rolltide is right, look for "different types" of 12AX7s as well. trumpetplayer, Feb 19, 2024 #12. Haven't found a need for the Mullard or Tele's in the consoles so these are the ones. Otherwise - I do like Mullard 12AX7s in EL84 ampsso, maybe I will search out some Mullards to try out as well. They're really a head and maybe a shoulder too above the rest I've tried. Members; 3. They tested stronger on my tester than the Rubys and sound a bit better. E. Also 50's RCA black plate 12AX7's and Tesla E83CC or Telefunken ECC803S tubes. A set of Sovteks, Tungsols, or any modern or classic tube is likely better. Psvane 12ax7s art Posted by Douglas Ulman on 21st Aug 2022 I have been rolling an impossible amount of 12ax7 tubes (and the occasional 5751) in the prs mt15 for over a year and have never been happy with the outcome, I put this one with the best of my rca 7025 tubes for the lack of noise and in a class of it's own for the absolute clarity and Dec 30, 2009 · The best and most versatile. In my DSL I use NOS Siemens and all Mullards for the same reasons as stated on the plexi, to clean it up a little and give it a glassier sound being that its a somewhat naturally aggressive amp. I bought them, along with Gold Lion 12AX7s and 12AU7s from Jim McShane. Apr 17, 2012 · I have a few of the black plate version 6681 with the side halo getter. Dec 21, 2019 · PS - the JJ power tubes are good and tough. Not cheap at $30 US, but cheaper than vintage Teles or Amperex. The Best 12AX7s for the LA-2A. I play blues, mainly at bedroom level and feel that the This JJ T-12AT7-JJ amp tube comes across as a seamless replacement for any 6201, ECC81, or 12AT7 tube. A ten buck Russian tube might seem like a bargain until you buy a dozen ten buck Russian 12AX7s while a 50 year old RCA 12AX7 is still going strong. When pushed into overdrive it offers clean distortion with well balanced lows and Mids. Jan 8, 2024 · He won't buy tubes from Russia currently, and his stock of 12AX7LPS is dwindling, so I bought a few more. 1. Additionally, this T-12AT7 tube replacing 12AX7s in the 1 st position lowers gain and boosts current output. The tube in V1 will bleed over into the reverb channel when used, but V2 will be the most important tube when the reverb channel is used. RCA Black Plate – Warmest tube with most depth of tone. Jun 20, 2002 · Not the best setup for tube life though. Super rare gold pins version and best sounding. Thanks to all for sharing your knowledge and experience. Jul 29, 2011 · It allows for more clean head-room than higher gain 12AX7s ; In overdrive, it is smooth and strong with well defined lows and mids ; When pushed into overdrive it offers clean distortion with well balanced lows and mids ; The JJ 12AX7 is well suited for all types of music and playing styles › Jun 5, 2021 · Most 12Ax7s I used produced too much distortion. I did a lot of noise testing on my home build phono pre and these were the best. Clean, linear, extended on both ends and still posses that midrange majic Jun 19, 2021 · Talkin new production 12AX7's here. Sep 2, 2011 · "absolute best". Nov 29, 2005 · With that in mind of the above preamp tubes, what would be the best suited tubes for the job out of the ones listed above (say the best three sets?) I should aslo add, I play mainly through the clean channel, with the pre and master volume very high, and then tame it down with the use of a power brake. I’ve only tested 3 samples of the 6H9C but intend to test more. Should I Jul 13, 2024 · It's subtle in many cases, but there. Telefunken ECC803S (E83CC) In my opinion these are simply the best. I’ve also recently tested the RU-6H6, a NOS Russian tube comparable to the JJ ECC99. My speakers and amps are quite revealing. Some are marked Baldwin, some Westinghouse and a pair marked RCA. I've compared a variety of 12ax7s in my phono stage (Ampex, Mullard, Tele, stock new reissue Tungsol, Siemens dual post) but stopped at the rib plate Teles since they sounded so good. I am on a budget (not really) and am looking for the best tubes to provide the best tone possible. My personal favourite is probably late 50s Heerlen but it's a tough call. The last valve attempt at a pre,pre-amp Oct 3, 2019 · All very different sounding tubes (the Amperex’s sound thick and wet compared to airy and dry Telefunken to me) but after much mixing and matching, this strange combo works best for me. They were the best sounding 12ax7s I've heard, better than RCA, Mullard, Amperex, Telefunken smooth and ribbed, 10M gold etc. For most Twin Tube Classic owners, this means youʼll never have to change your tubes. The plate structure is unmistakable; they have very short plates, which are unique. Got silver fuses yes, that did a little something. 12AX7 COMPARISONS ~ Best and Worst . From beginners to life-long hobbyists to industry professionals, we enjoy learning about new things and meeting new people, and participating in spirited debates. Russian tubes can't touch U. It has been continuously among the top-rated tube amps and for all the right reasons. ribbed plate Teles in their gear. Jan 29, 2010 · The pictured Siemens 12AX7WA's are (as tinderstocks mentioned) the late- last version of the triple mica E83CC- in my view one of the best 12AX7s ever. . Don't get too confused by all this. Jun 7, 2014 · Nothing like these are likely to ever be made again, and these have the added advantage of being factory screened for use in organ audio circuits. Jun 9, 2018 · I like the sound but they are a little edgy and less smooth than my best 12AX7s. ecc803, ecc803s : haut-de-gamme, tube silencieux. Whether you are replacing the preamp tubes in your amp for the first time or are a certified tone snob (like us), here is our list of the best 12AX7 vacuum tubes ever made to help improve the performance of your gear: Oct 9, 2019 · Resumé: The best tube in the test. captainclock Pacifist Otaku. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Chinese Bs(also known as the Military 6N4) are really good, in all positions. The Brimar are the Mil-spec tubes, not the junk that is floating on ebay as Brimar 12AX7. May 3, 2015 · Despite the nominal lower gain it is the single most powerful and dynamic "12AX7" I have ever heard. Should I Dec 26, 2010 · Perhaps one of the tube sellers or audio engineers on TGP could clarify this for me, but I always assumed that all 12ax7s operating within spec should be substantially similar in gain in a given circut, mu being a product of transconductance and plate resistance. Brimar was British-American. And to get the best of both worlds makes the ultimate 12ax7. A tube I thought is better than the 3rd place Mullard 12AX7 round plate are the Raytheon 5751 windmill getter. ES330 Member. Sovtek 12AX7A-WB 11. 75. Even changing one can be a nerve-racking experience. If you can, try to use both. I think they are very good if not quite equal to the very best 12ax7s. T May 19, 2002 · The best 12AX7s I've found for my taste in Jadis equipment have been Telefunkens, and the best Tele's I've ever used are their premium E803CCs. Dec 25, 2011 · Founded in 2010 What’s Best Forum invites intelligent and courteous people of all interests and backgrounds to describe and discuss the best of everything. RCA Grey plates Black Plates 5751WA May 22, 2014 · Both have the best dynamics of the current 12ax7s that I have tried ( JJ, EH, Tung Sol, Sovtek WA). These beauties rival the vintage European 12AX7s, and are the best bang for the buck going in a vintage USA made. 12ax7 (middle tube or second from front, for RIAA curve): NOS Telefunken from my stash. We also give some additional tips about what to look for in order to choose the right product for you. Using a distortion/OD/Fuzz for extra dirt. JJ EL84 tubes are fine if you buy them tested. Is your buddy having a bad day, feeling down in the dumps, turn that frown upside down by slipping them a nice matched pair of vintage 12AX7s. Other are expensive Brimar CV-4004. Jul 28, 2010 · Brimar would often label theirs ECC83/12AX7/CV4004. Sep 14, 2019 · I did decide on Amperex Holland in the end over Telefunken East Germany and Mullard Blackburn UK. The Philips 12AX7 mentioned by Joker is actually a tube manufactured by Sylvania and I have seen the tube marked: Philips, Sylvania 12AX7(A, 7025), RCA 12AX7A (7025) and it was also sold by Groove Tubes as the 12AX7A. A quality stepup transformer will do a far better job unless you can obtain a specialist solid state unit which is a far more expensive exercise. If I had to pick the most durable brand from the lot I'd say Sylvania. 5 tubes cost $40 and one $55, which I did not expect. Fortunately, where the best 12AX7s are now pushing $200 – $350 each, equally good 12AU7s will only set you back about $75 each. I think they are just as good as most of the Amperex‘s, warm like a Mullard but with detail. Special Quality , military grade , tight tolerances. Very hard to find, this tube is Vintage and Extra Rare! The ECC803S is a very low noise, special quality 12AX7, made with the old-style Telefunken German precision. Dec 15, 2010 · Most 12AX7s today show a current output of 0. Oct 4, 2005 · Supposedly these are the best 12ax7s JJ ever made. They are described as having "Low hum spiral filaments" and mine are quiet. avanti1960, Jun 16, 2018 #101. JJ rectifiers do not have a good reputation, but I see you have a nice Tungsol made in Russia GZ34 installed that should be good for many more years. Mar 8, 2025 · The best preamp tube for all the key gain stages is undoubtedly the Bugera 12Ax7A. A little fuzzy compared to the best 5751s. Sovtek 12AX7A-WA Dec 13, 2018 · And I don't know where anybody can find genuine NOS RCA black plate 12AX7s today which are not little more than completely used-up garbage. Steve Apr 24, 2010 · So, most 12AX7s and 7025s have a gain somewhat less than 100. mfximsugpurmvdfmrdbmlmynggibpeythdiiltlpsdvafnvu