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Top Tube Combination for EAR 834P

27.32.189.114
Posted on May 22, 2012 at 14:15:01
kunalraiker@yahoo.com
Audiophile

Posts: 8
Joined: November 14, 2010
 Hi Everyone,

I know this has been discussed previously but would like to ask this question as I just got my EAR 834P phono amp.
I'am sure preferences might have changed from threads posted back in 2005.

Can I please get you to state your experiences with tube rolling and what results you got on the sound.

I'am currently using some SOVTEKS and have ordered the JJ Tesla which should be arriving soon.

 

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RE: Top Tube Combination for EAR 834P, posted on May 22, 2012 at 17:30:18
BRab
Audiophile

Posts: 962
Joined: January 28, 2002
 I've been rolling tubes in mine off and on for ten years, and I've come right back to where I started, the designer's recommended 12ax7 in all three tube positions. In the past I've posted enthusiastically about an au7 in V3, and and 5751 in V1, but if it was ever the case that these tubes sounded better it was likely because my overall system was much less resolving than it is now, and those unorthodox tubes perhaps made up for the lack of resolution in some way by distorting the frequency response of the phono stage. As to tube manufacturer, the best I've found at the price I'm willing to pay are EI.

 

RE: Top Tube Combination for EAR 834P, posted on May 22, 2012 at 17:47:26
Tre'
Industry Professional

Posts: 17296
Location: So. Cal.
Joined: February 9, 2002
 I don't think the original poster was asking about using different tubes.

I think he was asking what brand 12ax7 to use.

As a general recommendation, I vote for NOS, Mullard long plate.

I have no experience with the EAR 834P.

Tre'
Have Fun and Enjoy the Music
"Still Working the Problem"

 

RE: Top Tube Combination for EAR 834P, posted on May 22, 2012 at 19:07:14
kunalraiker@yahoo.com
Audiophile

Posts: 8
Joined: November 14, 2010
 Ok, what I understand then is to stick with the original tubes.
But since I got a used unit, I don't have the stock tubes.

Do you know where I can get the EI ones.

 

I have NOS Telefunkens in V1 and V2 and a NOS Bugle Boy in V3., posted on May 23, 2012 at 06:21:58
Opus 104
 Works for me. The Mullard suggestion is good if you want more warmth.

 

RE: Top Tube Combination for EAR 834P, posted on May 23, 2012 at 07:02:26
BRab
Audiophile

Posts: 962
Joined: January 28, 2002
 My recommendation is to stay with 12ax7s, but not necessarily the original stock ones. If you have all ax7s now, or with the JJs on the way, I would stay with them for a while and get used to the sound. Then, if you want to experiment or change the sound in a particular direction, try EIs or Mullards, or whatever other suggestions come your way.

 

RE: Top Tube Combination for EAR 834P, posted on May 23, 2012 at 07:27:36
jyourison
Audiophile

Posts: 279
Location: Wisconsin
Joined: June 20, 2006
 I'm currently trying the new 12AX7 Mullard re-issues from Jim McShane in my phono preamp, and comparing them to the Sovtek 12AX7-LPS. I like what I hear so far.

--Jeff

 

RE: Top Tube Combination for EAR 834P, posted on May 23, 2012 at 12:57:54
gortnipper
Audiophile

Posts: 866
Location: Seattle expat in Auckland
Joined: November 28, 2003
 I rolled quite a few 12AX7s through my mate's that I had. The best sound I found was with a Siemens E83CC in V1, 50s long black Plate RCA in v2, and a Tele 801S in V3. The 801S was better in that slot than a Tele 12AX7 smooth plate, IMHO.

 

RE: Top Tube Combination for EAR 834P, posted on May 23, 2012 at 13:25:37
kunalraiker@yahoo.com
Audiophile

Posts: 8
Joined: November 14, 2010
 I think, I will try your option.
I know you said you liked them combination but was the sound difference from the stock tubes.

 

RE: Top Tube Combination for EAR 834P, posted on May 24, 2012 at 04:05:04
kunalraiker@yahoo.com
Audiophile

Posts: 8
Joined: November 14, 2010
 I got the JJ's now and notice the SOVTEKS have more bass.But the JJ's are more cleaner and better at treble.

 

YES!, posted on May 24, 2012 at 12:36:58
gortnipper
Audiophile

Posts: 866
Location: Seattle expat in Auckland
Joined: November 28, 2003
 Much more balanced - greater clarity, extension, richness...blah, blah, blah. I have Sovtek LPS and re-issue Mullards as well - and they are marginally better than stock - when mixed with something else, but the old tubes win for me.

 

RE: YES!, posted on May 24, 2012 at 13:49:50
kunalraiker@yahoo.com
Audiophile

Posts: 8
Joined: November 14, 2010
 the stock unit had 2 reissue Mullards and a EI.

What positions are best if I use these three tubes.

 

RE: YES!, posted on May 25, 2012 at 15:28:18
kunalraiker@yahoo.com
Audiophile

Posts: 8
Joined: November 14, 2010
 the stock unit had 2 reissue Mullards and a EI.

What positions are best if I use these three tubes.

 

RE: YES!, posted on May 26, 2012 at 01:16:03
gortnipper
Audiophile

Posts: 866
Location: Seattle expat in Auckland
Joined: November 28, 2003
 Experiment!

 

EI are now NOS/OS are they still affordable??, posted on May 26, 2012 at 15:14:12
Mechans
Audiophile

Posts: 1804
Location: East Coast
Joined: May 23, 2004
 At one point the "Silver Bullet" was a good choice for certain applications given its low price. How do you feel now that the price is higher?

 

RE: EI are now NOS/OS are they still affordable??, posted on May 27, 2012 at 04:40:44
BRab
Audiophile

Posts: 962
Joined: January 28, 2002
 At $30-40 currently for NOS I still consider them good value given they are so much better than the basic ax7s around such as JJ, EH, Sovtek etc. I haven't tried the new premium current manufacture tubes such as Gold Lion or Psvane which are around the same price as the NOS EI, but I'm suspicious and suspect marketing hype. I don't see how manufacturers have suddenly discovered the secret of the NOS tubes.

 

RE: Top Tube Combination for EAR 834P, posted on June 5, 2012 at 14:31:50
kenster
Audiophile

Posts: 4523
Location: New Mexico
Joined: April 24, 2002
 My EAR834P came stock with Edicron ECC83 tubes in all 3 positions and tube rolling definately changed the sonics of the unit sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worse mainly due to the way the heaters of the tubes are implemented in the 834P circuit.

As my systems resolution improved over time, different tube rolling combinations changed the sonics of the unit and it was all about system tuning at that point. I did find that using the same 12ax7, and it variants, in all 3 positions gave the most stable performance but in my system at the time, the Mullard CV4004 tubes(with tube dampers) in all 3 positions worked the best but as always, tube rolling has more to do with circuit design/tolerances and desired system performance.

I am no longer using the 834P and still have the stock Edicron ECC83 tubes and you're welcome to try them out if you want in your unit. Just shoot me a PM.

Cheers

 

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