|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
69.141.96.215
In Reply to: RE: Fed up with old stock 12AX7 RCAs dying or becoming microphonic! posted by Paul Kehayas on December 20, 2016 at 14:24:34
RCA is known for "chime". Mullard, even "reissues", is known for midrange accent. FWIW, I like a RCA/Mullard mix, but it's not always doable.
Eli D.
Follow Ups:
Given what Eli said concerning the sound quality of Mullards and RCAs which I thoroughly agree with . I am surprised you haven't sought the older Mullards. You seem to like warm sound and they are hard to beat. Yes you may experience a tired tube again but use your approach i.e reputable dealer who accepts returns.
BTW I use 5751s whenever a circuit will work with it. That is topic or stuff for yet another thread.
Expense is why I haven't found them. Telefunken 12ax7 tubes are easier to find up here for some reason.
Paul
FYI, I find the current production equivalent of the RCA/Mullard mix is the Tung-Sol ECC803S or 12AX7/Genalex B759/ECC83/12AX7 combo. It is a VERY good set of tubes!!
Interesting you should say that! So I assume you are saying the Tung Sols are RCAesque and the Gold Lions are Mullardlike or is it the other way around?
How do the reissue Mullards fit into this?
I have bought from you and also redone my MC240 with your upgrade so I do trust your opinion on this!
Thanks Jim!
Paul
Edits: 12/21/16
The Tung-Sols have a bit of the same "chime" the RCAs do/did; and the B759 Genalex has a tone quite similar to an old stock Mullard or Amperex. They get along quite well.
The reissue Mullard long plate is fine - but it really has a very narrow point in the marketplace. The Genalex kind of took the "warm" market, and the Tung-Sol (and in some applications - like phono stages - the 12AX7LPS Sovtek) took the "livelier" market.
Thanks for that Jim!
Just for my benefit, could you tell me what you hear as the difference between the Mullard reissue and the Gold Lion B759?
Paul
The B759 is quieter with its spiral wound heater; and it has better tone all the way up and down the spectrum.
The latest production B759s also have lower microphonics and noise than the earlier production from a few years ago.
Jim, I may have heard the earlier first run Genelex 12AX7. My ears are falling off sensitive wise on high end frequencies. I heard to 12000Hz. My amp is unique and tubes sounds different in different amps.
Based upon your experience the Genelex may be as good as any vintage tubes. But my unique circumstances the RCA worked better for me.
You would definitely prefer a tube with more top end energy than the Genalex, no doubt! Depending on the circuit you may find it works well in conjunction with other "brighter" toned tubes.
I'm 65 years old (yikes!) and I'm definitely aware of my own hearing limitations also. The advantage I DO have is I get lots of feedback from customers and that allows me to have a pretty good idea of how tubes sound to people besides me.
I thought you found the current Gold Lions to sound brittle. I had never heard them described that way, but more warm than anything out there excepting the old English tubes. Your system seems to be a warm one, and despite my own inveterate tube rolling activity, I am surprised you need to coax much more warmth out of it.
A long time ago I bought a pair of old GEC 12AU7s they tested very low. They sounded great however and despite their failing status at this point, they still sound superb. I used them sparingly.
I thought at one time that they sounded a bit bright. I don't know if brittle was the descriptor (perhaps it was, it's been a while)
I would like a comparison between the GL and the Mullard reissue however. Especially if they have tried them in a McIntosh but that's not really essential.
I suppose I am looking for a new production tube that does some great things without calling much attention to the upper midrange. I am surprised that the GL in tandem with other tubes is behaving in a totally different way to which I have heard.
The plot thickens...(for me at least!)
Paul
I obviously do not know your electronics. Perhaps you should use all B759s where possible.
I have never found the b759 bright. If anything well balanced with a very nice midrange. Like I said, very much like a great!! vintage tube.
Well it's a McIntosh MX110 pre going into an MC240 amp (6L6GC tubes in output) into a pair of Tannoy 15" Monitor Gold speakers. So the horn driven aspect of that kinda means stay on the warm side of the street!
Paul
I'll second the B759s as sounding reminiscent of a great vintage tube. Only new!
Interesting about the RCA chime and the Mullard midrange. \\By midrange, what area of frequency boosting is this being done in?
I know this is also asking for a bit but how do the JJ ECC803S tubes currently fitting into this equation?
Paul
Edits: 12/20/16
Post a Followup:
FAQ |
Post a Message! |
Forgot Password? |
|
||||||||||||||
|
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors: