Tube Recommendations Please....

kevhed72

My Integrated uses 3 12AX7 tubes in the pre amp section. The current tubes appear to be Russian made Genelax Gold Lions. I would like to move up considerably in the tubes rather that investing in another integrated or separates....any ideas folks, as I know pretty much 0 about different tube types....

heiney9

There is an entire world of 12AX7 (ECC83) options. These tend to be the most popular which means they are the most expensive.

Some of my favorites off the top of my head.

Cream of the crop:

1950's Valvo Hamburg made long plate tubes tilted halo getter. Rare and expensive.
1950's Mullard long plate, especially the square getter. Rare and expensive.
1950's Brimar long black plate, square getter. Rare and expensive.
1950's Amperex Holland, long plate, D getter w/foil. Rare and expensive
1960's Valvo Hamburg made short plate, angled halo getter.

American 5751's

1950's GE black plate, square getter 3-mica
1950's Sylvania black plate, sq getter 3-mica-
1960's (early) Sylvania gray plate, sq getter, 3-mica (stay away from later tubes0
1960's Raytheon black plate, windmill getter, 2 mica - expensive and rarer
1950's Raytheon black plate, sq getter, 3-mica
1950's early 60's Tungsol 5751 gray plate, horseshoe getter.

These are just a few off the top of my head.

The Tung Sol's are a really nice tube that flies (or did) under the radar. I prefer the 50's and very early 60's versions. 5751 being a bit better than the 12AX7.

Also 1950's Raytheon 12AX7 long black plates are very nice.

Good luck and be prepared to spend some $$$.

When I get home I'll look at my collection and make some more recommendations.

H9

P.s. If it's any help the only 2 set of 12AX7 (ECC83, 5751) I have been running in the past couple months are the Tung Sol 5751's and 1957 Valvo Hamburg long plate ECC83's. Sublime.

kevhed72

Thanks Brock...I'm sure I'll be picking your brain over the next couple of weeks....

kevhed72

How bout something like these:
https://tubedepot.com/products/telefunken-black-diamond-ecc83-12ax7?gclid=CJ_2u82pqM8CFY4jgQodRPwOqw

heiney9

I'd say no, I don't have any experience with them. They are Russian made and are probably no better than what you have.

I am a huge believer in old tubes, especially the late 50's and early 60's. I have yet to be convinced that any modern day made tube can sound as magical as the old world tubes, especially those manufactured in the "hey day".

I don't know what your overall goal is or what you are looking for out of your gear, but tube gear deserves great tubes.

I understand everyone is on a budget, etc, etc. But do yourself a favor and find some nice tubes from the tube era to put in your gear.

H9

heiney9

All the old brands have been bought up by a couple companies and IMO, they are trying to cash in on the name.

Current Tele's don't come close to the standards or sound of "original" Tele's. Not even on the same planet or design.

Same goes for all the other "name" brands new production tubes are labeled with.

I won't make a blanket statement saying they aren't good tubes, but they won't compare to 50's and 60's tubes.

H9

heiney9

IMO, if you are going to use newly made tubes in tube gear, you might as well just go back to solid state.

H9

heiney9

If you need budget friendly tubes I'd suggest RCA 12ax7 black plates or Tungsol 12ax7's. RCA 12ax7 gray long plates in a pinch.

The older the better, IMO.

If you are buying NOS from a retail dealer you will pay through the nose, ie; Tube Depot.

H9

heiney9

Here you go. Computer and Organ labeled tubes are typically a bit cheaper.

A trio of well matched Tung Sol square getter tubes.

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/3-VINTAGE-12AX7-GAP-R-COMPUTOR-TUNG-SOL-VACUUM-TUBES-AMPLITREX-TESTED-STRONG-USA-/111744002376?hash=item1a04762948:g:lPQAAOSwT6pVzrF1

Cheaper than the new manufacture Tele's you linked to and a whole helluva lot better sounding

H9

cortico

It is a lotory buying tubes on eBay... I like latter 5751 GE JAN, not as expensive as other types, they have a bit less gain than 12AX7 but sound very sweet and last forever.

kevhed72

How about something like this.....pretty much what the top of my budget is:

Faustin

I second H9 in regards to organ tubes. They were made by the major tube manufactures and labelled for the organ companies. IMHO they are a good balance between the current production tubes and the over priced boutique tubes from 60 years ago.

cortico

Just a note, the tubes manufactured to organs aren't current production. They were custom batches made by major manufacturers like silvanya, RCA, GE during 50 and 60 maybe early 70 and then relabeled. As mentioned these tubes are known to have very low noise and low microphonic abilities.

cortico

Further to my last post, I have great success in getting power tubes like 6v6 labeled for General Motors and Delco, I got a few grey glass 50s pairs made by RCA for a fraction of what an RCA would cost

The same with JAN military tubes...

heiney9

Yes, those would be nice. But so would the Tung Sol's I posted. You need 3 correct?

mikeyb128

Organ tubes are fantastic, screened for audio use and microphonics. Super quiet and a great value. Tons of nos going around. I have to second H9 on the RCA black plates, they are nicely balanced with awesome bass slam, my favorites are late 50's long black plates, with an angled D or square getter. The command 5814's are bullet proof and dime a dozen on eBay. If you can get late 50's black plate tripple mica with the serrated top plate (not smooth), with white writing, then you're in for a treat.

Almost anything Valvo sound great, haven't tried the hamburgs as H9 mentioned, but I scored a pair on eBay 57 long plate with tilted getter, same date codes for 49 USD. Can't wait to try them. Get ready to enter the tube hole, it's incredibly addicting and fun. Be prepared to spend some cash!

kevhed72

heiney9 wrote: »

Yes, those would be nice. But so would the Tung Sol's I posted. You need 3 correct?

Yes sir....3

lightman1

mikeyb128 wrote: »

Organ tubes......Get ready to enter the tube hole

Brydson???? Your thoughts?

ken brydson

lightman1 wrote: »

mikeyb128 wrote: »

Organ tubes......Get ready to enter the tube hole

Brydson???? Your thoughts?

Don't get me started ...

heiney9

mikeyb128 wrote: »

Organ tubes are fantastic, screened for audio use and microphonics. Super quiet and a great value. Tons of nos going around. I have to second H9 on the RCA black plates, they are nicely balanced with awesome bass slam, my favorites are late 50's long black plates, with an angled D or square getter. The command 5814's are bullet proof and dime a dozen on eBay. If you can get late 50's black plate tripple mica with the serrated top plate (not smooth), with white writing, then you're in for a treat.

Almost anything Valvo sound great, haven't tried the hamburgs as H9 mentioned, but I scored a pair on eBay 57 long plate with tilted getter, same date codes for 49 USD. Can't wait to try them. Get ready to enter the tube hole, it's incredibly addicting and fun. Be prepared to spend some cash!

Remember he's looking for 12AX7's and the 5814's are 12AU7 equivalents and if you bought Valvo Hamburg ECC83 long plates for $49/pr that's the steal of the century. I'm guessing those were ECC 82's you bought, still a great steal though.

H9

mikeyb128

Ah crap totally missed that. My bad. And yes picked up ecc82's.