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Hi Everyone,
Seeking recommendations for darkish, romantic and lush sounding 12ax7 without sacrificing much detail and image focus. Does especially well in vocal band and piano. Nothing too expensive and hard to find. Less than $50 each?
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Black plate 12ax7-RCA, Raytheon.
Let us know what you end up with.
Is this a quote or paraphrased from a tube sellers ad? it seems like pretty much everyone has their own idea of what "darkish, romantic and lush sounding 12ax7 without sacrificing much detail and image focus. Does especially well in vocal band and piano". Because everyone recommends different tubes that shows, no one really has a good idea of what you mean. I have been into tubes for over 25 years and if I thought my amp/preamp/m.i.amp needed to change from how it sounds to what you are describing, I would have no idea what ax7 tube could do that. I would wonder if maybe your equipment or ancillary components are performing as they should? In other words maybe their is a frequency anomaly that makes your equipment sound the way that it does. regards, Dak
Edits: 03/17/16
the vintage TUNGSRAM ECC83 is a fantastic fabric softener!N.
The times, they are changing...
Edits: 03/17/16
nada aqui
--------------------------
Buy Chinese. Bury freedom.
Opus 33 1/3
Ahoy hoy,
In new production tubes, I found "lush" applied best to the TJ Full Music 12AX7. You can find them on ePay, and it's also available through the TubeStore under the Northern Electric brand. If you go for the direct TJ tube, you'll score them for about $50 to the pair but make sure it's a reputable buyer as I think there are quasi-rejects finding themselves on the market. I've found them with red, blue, and gold tagging. Be sure to do a little research prior to purchasing. For the easy way out, the Northern Electric version will run you $50 for one; I think the price difference comes down to a little cherry-picking from the batches, and the 6 month warranty with the TubeStore.
I played with these TJ's in a few guitar amps and the difference is wild compared to the standard. It's like an i63-12AX7 Philips tube, but with extra life and bang. The frequencies are extended, there's a midrange warmth, but it's a "lush" midrange instead of a somewhat-nasally warmth. Those i63-based Philips have a wicked midrange, but it can come through a little strong in the lower registers depending on the country of origin and year of production. The TJ/Northern takes care of that without becoming sterile, too delicate, or boring.
I think it fits the criteria you sought to fulfill. It's worth a try.
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May your tubes be lively, warm, and long-lasting. Holy be thy heater.
Try to score a slightly used and tested Mullard 7025 ("industrial" grade 12AX7). It's lush, darkish but still well-detailed with great tone.
Ei ECC83 retains the tone but yet more detailed/modern and airy. They have a high failure rate, but if you can buy one pre-screened (returnable), and if you get a lucky good one, it will last a very long time.
I agree with getting a 'used' Mullard, it doesn't have to be a 7025. I think the warmest tubes that are long lived from Mullard are probably the 10 Ms. Just one problem with 10 M , they are expensive and even used examples, command premium high prices. The good news is that most Mullard have that type sound. Get some used Mullards of any type but make sure it is Made in Great Britain. The long plate Mullard made at Blackburn, is excellent, try some and and you will find what you seek.
Ei I think have too much treble and that treble is not so pretty. If longevity is your biggest concern, have Jim McShane pick out a well matched and thoroughly tested tubes.
JJ 5751. Tested, selected and delivered for @ $25 each.
@sondek. Thanks for your reponse. 5751 sounds like something I would like to explore. Read that there will be no issues replacing the 12ax7 that I a using now with 5751...however with 30 percent less gain. Read some reviews that only a "little" gain will be lost. Hmmm. Is it correct to say that if I listen to my system with volume set at "10 o'clock" normally, I will have to turn it up to 12? Seems like quite a lot and I could possibly overwork my amp. Your thoughts? Thanks for your help.
TubeAcolyte gave you a much better answer than I could have mustered. Tube Depot will select and test the JJ 5751 for you and deliver them for @ $20 each. I've been so impressed with sound of them I stocked up on them. If you want to stay more firmly in the 12AX7 realm, consider the JJ ECC803s. The 803s is a premium version of the 12AX7. I've used both, like both very much, but their 5751 was the one for me. JJ offers a chrome/nickle pin version and a gold pin version of the 803s. My experience is only with the gold. The gold 803s goes for closer to $30 each selected and delivered. You're lucky today in that there are so many really good new tube options available today. The Russian stuff is good too, but sound-wise I think the JJ offerings, at least in small signal tubes, betters the Ruskies. Your mileage may vary.
I wouldn't worry about the reduced gain or overworking the amp. The in-circuit gain that you get from a 12AX7 is usually much less than the datasheet's factor of 100, so a 30% reduction ends up being a pretty marginal difference in the calculated/resulting gain. The difference in settings will exist, but shouldn't be drastic.
As for the overworking of the amp, it won't happen. If 10 o'clock gets you your desired volume with a 12AX7, it's only natural that a 5751 might require a bit more signal input to allow the overall same volume output from your power amp and speakers. Also, by the data sheets, they have a similar input voltage rating, so I don't think you'd encounter a grid-current scenario and "overdrive" the tube by letting more signal into the tube; if 12 o'clock didn't cause your signal to break up with a 12AX7, I doubt the 5751 will be an issue. If you do encounter problems, reduce your source signal so that it doesn't lead to grid-current in the 5751.
Hope that helps!
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May your tubes be lively, warm, and long-lasting. Holy be thy heater.
5751 is not 12ax7Same mfg has a new series ECC83-MG that is very consistent from
triod to triode and from tube to tube.
Edits: 03/16/16
Yes, I know. My advice remains the same.
Hi Guys. Read somewhere that the Sylvania black plates 12ax7 has the attributes I seek. I understand there are a few types. Does anyone know which ones? I am not familiar with tubes at all...therefore...I will need to know which type exactly...if its not too much trouble. Thanks.
Only one type of Sylvania 12ax7 black plate I believe, long plate square getter. Good tube should sound like what you are looking for. I prefer RCA black plates or Raytheon black plates but they might exceed your budget. The Mullard short plate halo getter is the standard warmish sounding 12ax7 but are definitely on the costly side these days.
Enjoy the roll!
Absolutely agree,and if you are on budget you may look for
12ax7 philips ecg (last sylvanya productio from the 80's):
well selected ones may deserve surprise.
Anyway ,where are you going to put these ?(circuit plays the main
role)
!
The Mind has No Firewall~ U.S. Army War College.
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