New Tubes for my Vincent integrated (12ax7)

PSOVLSK

I had a thread in the "Troubleshooting" section that outlined a recent issue with my Vincent sv236mk. Ends up the center tube went bad. Not a lot information out there about the tubes in this integrated. Even the owners manual makes basically no mention of the tubes.

Anyway, looking for some advice/opinions. I replaced the, I assume, stock tube with a Genelax Gold Line and I like the improvement. So much so that I'm looking to possibly replace the back two tubes. Should I keep them all the same? Have the back two different from the center? Leave is as I have it? Suggestions on tubes to try? I spent $50 on the Gold Line and that's about all I care to spend at this time. Maybe I'll try some better/more expensive tubes in the future.

Here's a pic of the tube I replaced, though I doubt you can tell much about it. The other two I didn't replace are the same as this one.

tonyb

Eh, with tube gear it's always a bit of trial and error to find the flavor you like. It's a blessing, and a curse with tube gear. Change them out if you like, worst case you have some backups. That said, maybe find a Vincent thread at one of the larger forums, some owners may be able to shed some light on prefered tubes/troubleshooting, stuff absent from the owners manual. Rock on bro, glad you like the sound.

PSOVLSK

Kind of the answer I expected…or at least the one I was afraid of. With so many choices, I figured personal preference was the key. I’ve done some searching at other places, but not coming up with a ton of info. Not to say I got nothing, just not much out there that I’ve been able to find so far. The good news is that’s I’m very happy with the system right now, so leaving things as they are won’t be a bad thing.

mhardy6647

The marking on that tube looks like Allied Radio's "Knight" branding (???)


(random internet/eBAY image)

It looks like yours says "MADE IN..." something on it. Japan? I am guessing Matsushita, but that's a SWAG at best (more of a WAG). There are folks here who should be able to identify the actual manufacturer of the tube based on its internal (and external) morphology -- I ain't one of them, though.

PSOVLSK

mhardy6647 wrote: »

The marking on that tube looks like Allied Radio's "Knight" branding (???)


(random internet/eBAY image)

It looks like yours says "MADE IN..."

Definitely looks like that might be it.

I thought it said “MADE IN U S A”

Doesn’t really matter. Mostly just curious…BUT, I still have two of them in the Vincent. Which means, doh, all I need to do is pull one of them out and see if the markings are clearer.

pitdogg2

Jumping in here
I know it says RCA on the tube in chalk paint, BUT that 12AY7 and the dots next to it SCREAMS GE made tube FOR RCA. Go out and look at GE tubes that sandblasting markings is their thing

Clipdat

Stick with the Gold Lion for a week or so and see if you still want to roll after that.

PSOVLSK

The other two tubes are less legible than the one I posted, but I feel confident it’s the “made by Knight for RCA” that Doc and Ivan mentioned. Thanks.

kevhed72

When I owned this integrated I was a fan of Siemens silver tubes for it.

mhardy6647

pitdogg2 wrote: »

Jumping in here
I know it says RCA on the tube in chalk paint, BUT that 12AY7 and the dots next to it SCREAMS GE made tube FOR RCA. Go out and look at GE tubes that sandblasting markings is their thing

The 'rebranders' in particular played fast and loose with the provenance of their wares.
The supply chain in those days was more of a Gordian Knot.

or maybe a Celtic knot.