Thoughts on new production 12AX7 tubes

[Allan W.]

Originally Posted by Wasatch

New tubes can go out early also.

Yes, but it doesn't cause as much pain in the wallet as NOS tubes.

I've also been searching for a pair of 12AX7's and based on what I'm reading here I am ordering the reissue Mullard's.

Thanks All

[vintage_tube]

Originally Posted by Allan W.

Yes, but it doesn't cause as much pain in the wallet as NOS tubes.

I've also been searching for a pair of 12AX7's and based on what I'm reading here I am ordering the reissue Mullard's.

Thanks All

If you were a subscriber, I could possibly help.

Best sir,

Bob

[bakerman]

Originally Posted by vintage_tube

If you were a subscriber, I could possibly help.

Best sir,

Bob

[Allan W.]

Originally Posted by vintage_tube

If you were a subscriber, I could possibly help.

Best sir,

Bob

Finally got off my duff and subscribed

[vintage_tube]

Originally Posted by Allan W.

Finally got off my duff and subscribed

Many benefits for doing so. PM'd.

Best sir,

Bob

[prepress]

I admit it makes me nervous, having just bought a Mac C2300 (which i may swap out for the coming 2500) and seeing comments about tubes going out. One of the reasons I didn't bother with tube equipment before.

Still, I am wondering which tubes to use, as I plan to take out the 2300 stock tubes to have as reserves for the MC phono stage, which I won't be using.

I'm thinking Tung-Sol or Mullard for the line/MM sections. Would someone point me to a place where I can get comparisons between these, or among the various 12AX7s in general? Thank you.

UPDATE: some preliminary research has me leaning to Mullards.

[randyalavasg]

thanks for this thread, useful tips. i recently got a used/mint audio research sp16l which uses 3x 12ax7 and im wondering about rolling the tubes and/or getting spares for backup/standby

im just wondering if tube rolling is common for arc owners as im getting the impression most arc owners get tube replacements from arc

[o0OBillO0o]

Sent from my iPhone using A.Aficionado

[prepress]

Originally Posted by bakerman

While I did get both the Mullard and Tung-Sol reissues in, I've since bought a pair of Gold Lions and have really enjoyed them in my amp. They have a nice clarity to them.

Niles, I think you're right about new production 12AX7's getting better. Maybe I've just gotten use to them. The last pair of NOS RCA's I bought ended up with one going out in approx. three months. The dealer said they tested strong but you never really know do you. I'm willing to stick with new tubes just for longevity.

You're saying the GLs are clearer/cleaner sounding than the Mullards or Tung-Sols in your system?

I have been researching tubes and it is a bit confusing to me, seeing sometimes apparently contradictory information. The dealer from whom I bought a C2300 also owns one, and offered that GLs were very good, and added some warmth; Mullards and Tung-Sols are more neutral, he says. But reading around I see Tung-Sols emphasize high and low frequencies, they're warm; Mullards are smooth (broad consensus on that), with surprising accuracy and detail (magic words to me), lush-sounding, etc.

Also many reviews are of the tubes in guitar amps; some mention hi-fi applications as well. I extrapolate some of the guitar reviews to hi-fi when such isn't stated specifically. I want to come to a solid decision, not close my eyes and stab (easy to do with all the choices). And need to watch the wallet in the process.

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by prepress

You're saying the GLs are clearer/cleaner sounding than the Mullards or Tung-Sols in your system?

I have been researching tubes and it is a bit confusing to me, seeing sometimes apparently contradictory information. The dealer from whom I bought a C2300 also owns one, and offered that GLs were very good, and added some warmth; Mullards and Tung-Sols are more neutral, he says. But reading around I see Tung-Sols emphasize high and low frequencies, they're warm; Mullards are smooth (broad consensus on that), with surprising accuracy and detail (magic words to me), lush-sounding, etc.

Also many reviews are of the tubes in guitar amps; some mention hi-fi applications as well. I extrapolate some of the guitar reviews to hi-fi when such isn't stated specifically. I want to come to a solid decision, not close my eyes and stab (easy to do with all the choices). And need to watch the wallet in the process.

Charles.......You can read other peoples opinions until the cows come home or you can buy a couple different sets of tubes and make your own decision on how they sound to you with your gear. Tubes are circuit dependent, so one person saying they are warm, or bright, or neutral, or lush, or whatever is attempting to describe their reaction in their equipment. Will the same tube(s) in a different piece of equipment sound the same? The answer is most likely no.

I have rolled 12AX7's and 12AT7 tubes from any number of manufacturers, some reissues, some NOS from the 50's and 60's. I have used Mullards( reissue and NOS including military versions), Philips JAN, Tung-Sol and Tung-Sol gold pin, Telefunken, Siemens, RCA, and Genalex original NOS and Gold Lion reissue. Each manufacturer brought a particular sonic signature to the performance, some subtle differences and some not so subtle differences. These tubes often sounded different in power amps than they sounded in preamps.

The point I am trying to get across is, talking and reading about tubes and their influences on sound only whets the pallet but will never satisfy the taste buds until you actually take a bite. There is no perfect tube any more than there is a perfect audio component. Certainly some sound better than others and some sound different than others, but only you can make the final decision with your components by actually listening to the tubes of your choice. This is an area where procrastination and "research" will not represent the absolute truth. Take the plunge and discover tube rolling for yourself.