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Well, the same thing, supposedly. Doesn't carry the Bugle Boy label. Manufactured for Dario/Miniwatt. From the Heerlen factory.Going into my recently purchased Icon Audio Stereo20 PP integrated. Gosh, this tube rolling is the most addictive thing I have ever encountered in audio.
Currently I am running a JHS Sylvania 12AX7, dated 1955. I would say 'dark grey' plate. Been my favorite so far. Blew the new production Gold Lion to bits. Gosh, I hated that tube. Can't wait to hear how the Amperex compares.
Cheers,
Andrew
Edits: 03/06/15 03/06/15 03/06/15Follow Ups:
Rolling tubes is unique to each application.
I'm not familiar with your amp but I found the GL took a very long time to settle in. However, it may not be the best to your ears in your amp. The new production JJ ECC803S is worth a try too. It too takes a while to settle in. Enjoy the roll.
About the GL, there were indeed some very nice attributes in my amp. But the synergy just wasn't there. It was very 'fat' sounding. Huge midrange. 3D. But it was overpowering, and while the treble did sound sweet, it was drowned out somewhat by the mids, creating a really strange sound, in my opinion. It was a very, very smooth tube, though. The other issue I had with it, and have experienced with varying degrees in all the new production tubes, is an emphasis in the upper mids, centered around 2khz. It sounds like a 'glare'.
I also have a couple of those JJ's. Well, not the ECC803 variant, rather the ECC83. As far as new production goes, of all the ones I have tried, my favorite is the Electro Harmonix. It gave the closest sound to the NOS tubes I have tried. Unfortunately my example had some elevated hum, as well.
And that seems to be my experience with New Production tubes. Yes, you can get high quality, great sounding tubes that rival NOS. You can also get a dud the next time. Just no consistency there. For the record, though, the most consistent brand I have encountered so far is JJ. The only issue I have with those is my EL84's started to rattle. I put some dampers on, and problem solved, though.
Thanks and happy listening,
Andrew
"And that seems to be my experience with New Production tubes. Yes, you can get high quality, great sounding tubes that rival NOS. You can also get a dud the next time."
NOS/used tubes are similar in that no tube 'does it' in all circuits. Your best bet is to search here for tubes you are interested in to get a sense of its sonic attributes. It flies in the face of reason but it has been my experience that many new production small signal tubes take much longer to settle in than NOS. A used tube does not have this issue.
Have fun with the roll and don't go crazy. ;-)
NOS (and new testing OS) small signal tubes are still readily available and in general sound better, last longer and are built better than current new production. In most cases the difference in cost is negligible. Leave new production for expensive and difficult to source output tubes.
Just one mans opinion of course.
Enjoy the roll!
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