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JJ 12DW7 Initial Impressions

I have an Eico HF-86 Integrated amp. The amp uses 12DW7 X 2, 6BQ5 X 4 and a 5AR4 rectifier. This amp is really good sounding but NOS 12DW7 and 6BQ5 are pricey and getting pricer.

I have been using a NOS Raytheon or GE 12DW7 pair with either NOS GE gray plate X 4 or a mix of Sylvania black plate 6BQ5 + Tungsram EL84 that came with the amp. Just yesterday I put in a new set of JJ EL84 X 4. I have been using a Sovtek 5AR4 with some experimentation with a TS Reissue 5AR4. The Sovtek 5AR4 is in the amp today.

I decided to give the JJ a try and I am happy to say the tube sounds excellent right out of the box. The JJ is a clear, clean sounding tube like the Raytheon but with much better bass. In fact, the JJ has better bass than any 12DW7 I have tried in this amp or others. At times the bass could sound slightly tubby but depending on the material this has been a plus or minus so far. Note: after three hours of playing the bass seems to be improving with the tubby sound receding but the strong, powerful foundation remaining.

The mids are well resolved and neutral. There is no richness that stands out here but the tube is in no way thin sounding. The mids flesh out guitar very well ... a must with me. Vocals are just right .... no sibilance or excess breathiness but words are fully discernible. Small inflections to vocals are coming though unscathed. The mids just sound right to me.

The treble is smooth, well integrated and less bright than the Raytheon 12DW7's I had used with the JJ EL84 since yesterday. That might seem that way because the bass is stronger with the JJ giving a better overall balance. I am not sure. Resolution seems similar and I don't feel any air or sense of space is missing. I have the Allman Brothers Live at the Filmore 6/27/71 playing right now and I can hear the drum interplay and cymbal crashes with no edge or resolution lacking. Duane Allman's guitar sounds fantastic.

Bottom line I think we have another new production tube in the winners column. The JJ 12DW7 joins the JJ ECC803s, JJ ECC99, JJ EL84, Sovtek 6L6WXT, Sovtek 5AR4, TS Reissue 5AR4 and TS 6L6G as tubes I enjoy listening to as much as my NOS tubes.

Robin Trower Bridge of Sighs is on now and the overall sound, especially guitar sounds fantastic .... fast, clear, alive and dynamic but no edge or spittiness. Impressive!!

PS: I got these 12DW7's from Jimmy McShane. I ordered them Friday and got them today. Jim says he screens these for noise and these tubes ARE quiet ... along with sounding unexpectedly very, very good. I am one happy guy.


Edits: 04/21/14
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Topic - JJ 12DW7 Initial Impressions - ecline6 16:43:01 04/21/14 (17)
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