EH tubes VS NOS

madmax

For quite some time I've been playing around with a bunch of 12AX7's and 12AT7's in my JoLida. I have Telefunkin, Mullard, Phillips, some China made ones etc. I've noticed each has its own little frequency response curves. They each do something different with the treble too. Some turn a cymbal into more of a hissing sound while others make it much more of a crash.

Now enter the Electo-Harmonix. Each and every time I keep coming back to the EH because they sound full from top to bottom. A very flat satisfiying sound. Sometimes the older NOS tubes at first sound "special" in their own way but soon I notice a characteristic sound and start becoming annoyed. I notice this time after time. I am pretty much ready to start using the EH's for all my needs.

Try the EH tubes, especially if you have a JoLida amp...

madmax

TroyD

Agreed, I like the EH's.....I'm waiting on some Ei's that come highly recommended but I like the EH's as well.

BDT

Early B.

Oh yeah. The EH 12AX7's are great all around performers in my Jolida int. amp. They are slightly bright for my taste (I like it very laid back), but they serve as my "reference" tubes -- the ones I use to judge all the others.

I use EH KT88's, too.

madmax

I've only tried the AT's and AX's so far but just ordered a quad of EL-34's to see what they sound like. Do you think this tube stuff will catch on?

madmax

BlueMDPicker

The EH EL34s have found a home in my Manley 75+75. I've rolled about everything I could find (including NOS) through that amp and the EHs are the best overall match for my tastes. Hope you like yours so much that you decide to part with the blue glass Teslas!

madmax

Originally posted by BlueMDPicker
Hope you like yours so much that you decide to part with the blue glass Teslas!

You have first dibs on the blue boys. I'm setting up a vinyl only 2 channel with my 6550 amp and am going to use my EL-34 amp for the HT. That would be a waste to use the Teslas for that. They are my premium "now and then" tubes. You know, like a fine wine. A little taste now and then.

madmax

BlueMDPicker

Thanks for the dibs!

What speakers are you using in the HT setup? I'm very tempted to supplant the Klipsch RF-3s in my HT setup with the SRS. They sound so amazing as front/mains, and get so little play time these days on 2CH.

organ

Madmax,
I agree with you about EH. The EH 'house sound' IMO is neutral, extended in the highs (without becoming harsh) and more forward. I'm using EH's 6922 in my pre and switch back and forth between EL34EH and SED EL34.

I'm sure you'll love the sound of their EL34 if you like the X7. Very dynamic but takes a long time to break in. I'd say mine took several hundred hours before they fully broke in. Excellent power tube for everything from vocals to death metal.

The SED is very warm and more laid back just like their X7. The most 'romantic' EL34 I've tried. You might want to give the EH 6CA7 a try too. Very much like their EL34 but with a lot more bass. More analytical sounding though. http://www.thetubestore.com/ehx6ca7.html

Maurice

madmax

Originally posted by BlueMDPicker
Thanks for the dibs!

What speakers are you using in the HT setup? I'm very tempted to supplant the Klipsch RF-3s in my HT setup with the SRS. They sound so amazing as front/mains, and get so little play time these days on 2CH.

I'm planning on 1.2's with the RDO tweets for the fronts, LSiC and LSi7's for the surround. The LSi's match the SDA's with the tweeter upgrade very well. This won't be fast though. I'm really working on getting the TT working properly on the 2 channel rig right now which caused me to start thinking what I wanted to do with that amp.

The TT is becoming a real anoyance. The cartridge I have is a high output but is too low for the preamp I have. I just bought a new phono preamp and took into consideration the future cartridge I want but found the current cartridge output is too high for it. On top of that I need a new bearing for the platter...

madmax

madmax

Organ,
I'll try the SED next.
madmax

organ

Madmax,
Have you heard anything about the Mullard reissue? I've heard mixed thing about them. Some say it's a re-labeled Svetlana. Not SED but the Svetlana being produced by New Sensor. Some say it looks similar but is a completely different tube and is the best sounding. I know Tour(Bruce) ordered some but haven't heard from him in a long time.

I'm sure you're going to like the SED.

Maurice

BlueMDPicker

madmax wrote:

I'm planning on 1.2's with the RDO tweets for the fronts, LSiC and LSi7's for the surround. The LSi's match the SDA's with the tweeter upgrade very well. This won't be fast though. I'm really working on getting the TT working properly on the 2 channel rig right now which caused me to start thinking what I wanted to do with that amp.

Sorry to hear of the TT bearing woes.

I hate to admit it, but I've never heard a "modern" Polk speaker (save for the Atrium 45s on the deck). Good to know the LSi series is a nice match.

I'm doing a demo with a couple of borrowed LCD projectors in the downstairs HT rig (where the SRSs live.) Between work and vacation I haven't really had more than a couple of hours with the gear so far. But, it shows promise.

madmax

I like projectors! Nothing like a big screen. I've found that watching live concerts on a big screen is totally awesome!
madmax

BlueMDPicker

Yep. We spent an evening at Terpsfan's home watching the projection HT rig and it was all over for us. One of the video offerings was a Clapton concert. Awe inspiring! (and, I'm not a huge EC fan)

madmax

Size does matter.
madmax