I need opinions on tubes!

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arwokc
Posts: 24
(3/22/04 10:41 pm)
  I need opinions on tubes!
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 Hey everyone, I'm currently running Sovtek 12AX7's and Philips JAN 12AT7's in my blackface Viboverb copy amp. I've been swapping tubes trying to find a great tone/gain balance combined with low noise. I've tried old GE's, an old Mullard, a few Amerex, some RCA's, and even a Sylvania. But all these either induced noise, pops and cracks, or were very microphonic. I keep coming back to the Sovteks and Philips JAN's. I would really like to find some nice American NOS tubes but I'm afraid of spending all that dough, only to come back to the first setup. Also, what are your feelings on the EH's. I am currently running a pair of GE 6L6GB's from an old Heathkit amplifier and I'm very pleased with them. They biased nearly perfect (within 1 mA of each other.) Needless to say, I won't go back to the SED's. Any input on your preferences would be greatly appreciated. Also, PLEASE tell me which tubes to stay away from.

Thanks,

Andy  

Edited by: arwokc at: 3/23/04 7:52 am
 
Leevi
Junior tube assistant
Posts: 118
(3/23/04 1:08 am)
  Re: I need opinions on tubes!
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 I have been very satisfied with JJ tubes.
/Leevi
 
OldHouseScott
Posts: 13
(3/23/04 8:25 am)
  Re: I need opinions on tubes!
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 I vote for the JJ's as well. They seem to have the most dynamic, complex sound.

In preamp tubes, the EH's are not bad, pretty good actually. Also (don't laugh) the new Chinese Shuguang C-9 production are nice and strong and clear.

Just my 2 cents...
 
bluetonene
Junior tube assistant
Posts: 35
(3/23/04 11:04 am)
  Re: I need opinions on tubes!
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 I prefer NOS. I do however caution that you need to know whom you are purchasing from. Find a reputible source and stick with them. If they will not guarntee them, I would stay away. Many sellers say the tubes are NOS because they test that way. Not so!
Tom
 
Funkalicousgroove
Junior tube assistant
Posts: 28
(3/23/04 12:18 pm)
  Re: I need opinions on tubes!
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 Try KCA NOS tubes, they have a large variety of tested, matched tubes. I like Telefunken's but they're at $100ea or more right now, my 2nd favorites are Jan/phillips, and The chinese R9. The R9 sounds better than alot of my amperex. They are similar to later mullards but MUCH brighter. www.kcanostubes.com All their tubes are tested @400+ volts
 
jc
I only work on Fender's
Posts: 684
(3/23/04 7:19 pm)
  tubes
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 The JJ's sound nice and fat. I like them in a clean amplifier. I don't think they are the best for distortion.
The sovteks are nice in a distorted channel.
You can find the 12ax7wa for under $5 in quantities under 20.
I have never been bitten by the NOS bug. I guess I am cheap. I think we have to find current production tubes that sound good because eventually when I start showing my 9 year old son how to build amplifiers that will be the only thing that he can get...

BTW how old is NOS? before 1980? 1970? 1960?  
 
arwokc
Posts: 25
(3/23/04 7:49 pm)
  NOS tubes
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 Tom,
Where do you buy your NOS tubes? I have been so impressed with the GE 6L6GB tubes that my friend gave me, I wouldn't mind trying some NOS GE preamp tubes. However, I would like it to be from somebody reputable, so when I ask them if their tubes are quiet, I can feel assured they'll give me a straight answer. The couple of used GE preamp tubes I've tried so far, were not all that great. One was very buzzy and the other was microphonic. So, I don't know if that is just characteristics of the GE tubes or just a product of age.

Thanks for the input guys, keep it coming.

Andy

Edited by: arwokc at: 3/23/04 11:29 pm
 
arwokc
Posts: 26
(3/24/04 11:24 pm)
  My latest tube swap
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 Tonight I tried some NOS Philips JAN 6L6WGB tubes. They seemed a brighter than the GE 6L6GB's. The GE's just sound warmer to my ear. The Philips should have biased at about 40mA according to my calculations. I could only get them up to about 33 without changing my bias range resistor. I didn't feel it was worth the effort. Besides, the longer I play the GE's, the closer they bias together. Having a 19 watt plate dissipation rating, I've set the bias on 30.0mA and the second tube has drawn even closer to 29.8mA. The GE's also had a little less noise than the Philips in my amp.

I'll keep everyone posted as the tube craziness continues.

Andy
 
bluetonene
Junior tube assistant
Posts: 37
(3/25/04 8:25 am)
  Re: My latest tube swap
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 I have a couple of sources but have been purchasing a fair amount from an e-bayer:absolutetubes. His name is Jim.I buy direct. He guarantees his tubes and gives an honest desciption of them. I have been very satisfied.
Tom
 
 
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