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Hello-- I have read many favorable post re: the Tungsram 12AX7. It is refered to as a good NOS tube. I recall hearing somewhere that Tungsram was initially a label owned by Mullard (or in some way allowed Mullard 12AX7s to bear thee "Tungsram" name) but the only ones I have used were early 1980s production Hungarian tubes that had a small metal rectangle stamped with a two-digit number welded to the top of a support rod at the top of the tube just below the getter--(mine all were "#28") I really disliked the sonics of these, even after 100 hours or so, and so relegated them to the "bootstrapped" driver spot in my McIntosh 60s, where any tube would serve. The sonics were identical to Sovtek LPS or EH; bright, etched treble, thin lower mids and shallow soundstaging. Good bass. When speaking of "Tungsrams," is there a UK product that is refered to? If so, what is the plate length/style and era? TIA, Chris
Follow Ups:
In my own experience, some Tungsram 12AX7 sound exactly as what you described - as edgy and rough as Sovtek and Ei; while some sound as good as TFK ECC803S. And they look exactly the same!The sonic difference/performance probably due to vintage. But as they all look the same inside, I have no idea how to distinguish the vintage/year of production.
Anyone has any idea?
Tim
Hong Kong Tube Audio Club
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hktubeaudio/
Ty,Don't know how to decipher the lot numbers. But, the ones which I like have all yellow lettering on the glass. The "T" is in a circle with "wings" drawn on each side.
They are labeled ECC83. Not 12AX7. And are probably 1980's vintage.
Some folks mention different colors (white or orange, I believe) lettering and non-Tungsram logo on the glass.
For whatever it's worth, mine came in the red, white, and blue box. I bought a lot at one time, so I haven't had the need to purchase any recently.
I've put these into several amps. All the owners have liked them. They have good strong mu. And can take abuse. Very strong tone, especially when pushed by a high output guitar in an amp which places hefty voltage (read: old Marshalls & Fenders) onto their gain stage tubes.
"Don't know how to decipher the lot numbers. But, the ones which I like have all yellow lettering on the glass. The "T" is in a circle with "wings" drawn on each side."I think these are the late production and seldom sound good.
Tim
Hong Kong Tube Audio Club
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hktubeaudio/
Chris,My Hungarian Tungsrams sound pretty good---but these are used in guitar amps, where the tube are pushed pretty hard. Maybe, when the idle bias is a bit low---the tone suffers more than other tubes.
I believe that there are Austrian made Tungsrams. I've seen Tunsram 6922 with Made in Austria logo and if I recall, the guts looked different than the Hungarian made ones. The logos were different, too. The "Austrian" ones had small lettering, very discrete logo.
All the Tunsram 'Made in England' or 'Made in Great Britain' I have seen have been Blackburn manufactured Mullards
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