Best New Production 12AX7

[Jon]

I was just wondering what the best (reliability, tone...) 12AX7's were.

[BrianH]

As far as reliability, I find if you buy from a good dealer who screens each and every tube (like the infamous Lord Valve), you'll do well.

Tone-wise, I do like the EH's. JJ's are fine, EI's too if you get non-microphonic ones.

[bamboo]

I believe you asked the same question on the JTM45 forum and I just gave a respose similar to what BrianH said. Great minds think alike!


Here is what I posted:
I've used several sets of Valve Arts KT66 tubes and have been real happy with them, price is right too. In fact, I just got another set this week for a Bandmaster Reverb I'm tinkering on right now.

I think for KT66s you are limited to two choices, either Chinese copies (like Valve Arts) or the real deal GEC new old stock tubes. Chinese copies - about 50 bucks for a matched set; GEC matched set (if you can find them) about $350. Hence, I have never used GECs.

For preamp tubes I'm kind of fond of the Sovtek 12AX7LPS tubes in a JTM45.
BUT...there are lots of other good new production tubes like JJs, Ei, EH, etc. My only real recommendation would be to buy your tubes from a company that really matches, tests, and screens all their tubes, and will stand behind what they sell. I have had very good luck with KCA tubes and they are great to work with. But again, there are many other tube sellers who are good also. Let's see what others recommend.

Edit: added what I posted on the JTM45 board.

[s2]

If we are talking about tone, I really like EIs for Marshall type circuits and EH for Fender or Vox type circuits. I

t is very hard to find EIs which are not microphonic. Most of them are and badly so. The tubes with gray plates seem to be better about it than those with silver plates, but only slightly. The Elites are ususally better.

EH tubes have been pretty reliable so far, but I've only been using them for a short time.

I used JJs for a good while, but have found a lot of them to be microphonic lately. I think they are better than anything Chinese and most Russians in terms of sound.

I agree with the sentiment that you should pay a few extra bucks for pre-screened tubes. It is absolutely worth it in the end after you have paid less for a bunch of useless tubes.

[rjgtr]

First and formost - let me agree that you need to buy tubes from a pre- screener for reliability.

I have a web page devoted to Rivera Amplifiers. You can find it here http://home.bellsouth.net/p/PWP-RJWP. It has a pretty good writeup on different preamp tubes. It doesn't include the new JJ ECC803S which is a good tube also.

Since this is the 18 watt forum, here's my opinion for good Marshall type tones with NEW PRODUCTION. This is My Opinion only:

The best balance of tone and gain is the Groove Tube GT-12AX7-M. This is the closest overall to a real Mullard in production. It goes smoothly into distortion and the clean sound is detailed and not cloudy. Buy them from a reputable dealer who screens tubes; there's been a few production issues that screeners seem to weed out.

The JJ ECC83S is just as good as the Groove Tubes 12AX7-M and probably a little more reliable. It doesn't have quite as balanced a tone, with a little less low end, but it is a very good sounding tube. This is a nice tube in a dark amp because it has a high mid enphasis that makes it cut a little more. The new JJ ECC83S is also a good tube, but can be a little shrill in an already really bright amp.

Ei's sound almost as much like a Mullard as the GT-12ax7-M but are prone to microphonics. Even buying them from a screener is not guarrantee of long term success. I've heard reports of these going bad after a week ot two. But if you find a good one that lasts, you have a very nice sounding tube. I would only buy the Elite version and get a couple spares. I would only buy these from a very reliable screener.

The Chinese R9 is a good all around tube. Not as exciting tonewise as the above, but very reliable. These are good tubes for phase inverters and for darker sounding amps. Too many of these in an amp can sound a little spikey. Although their power tubes are just Ok, the preamp tubes are very reliable and sound good.

Sovtek/EH - very reliable but not so exciting tone wise. The best are the Sovtek 12AX7LP(S) or 12AX7EH. Both are good sounding, but the midrange gets a little smeared when they are pushed into distortion. They also seem to have a little less gain. Good choice for Fender amps calling for a 7025 or phase inverters. A little soft sounding in some amps.

If you can afford it, get one of each and try them in V1. You can also mix and match. I find a combination that can work well in a multi stage amp is a JJ ECC83S in V1 followed by a GT-12AX7-M in V2. I also have been trying the JJ ECC803S and I really like them in the PI slot. They are also a nice tube in other positions if the amp isn't overy bright naturally.

If you can scrape up the cash buy a NOS Mullard for V1 you'll love it (couldn't resist)!

[Plexi]

So in your opinion ,what is the best current made tube that does not have any microphonics,and sounds good.

I'm going to oreder some tubes,and so far,seems even the places that test tubes like GT and others. I have to go through them,and listen to each one,and pick out what i like. I hate to buy the new GT mullard,they were having some trouble with them,and the last ones i got,were crap.

It seems so goofy,that they can't build a really good 12AX7 tube. if they could, they would corner the market on them. Ones where they were all the same sounding,and without microphonics.

Richie

[rjgtr]

Richie,

No tube is without microphonics. It's just how much you can live with.

If I was to go with the safest good sounding tube it would be the JJ ECC83S. That's what I'd use if I was in production. They sound good and are reliable.

As much as I like the sound of the GT-12ax7-Ms the current production runs seem less consistant than the earlier runs. I buy mine from Doug's tubes or KCA, bith of which do a good screening job. I have found some of the new ones to have varying gain. However, they all work and sound good. I'm still using mostly GT-Ms with JJs in the PI slot.

However, lately I've been playing with NOS Mullards, Brimars and I've got some RFTs on the way too. I'm convinced - NOS Mullards are the way to go if you've got the cash.

[Swanutt]

I have been trying different tubes to find what I like, When you say the PI slot do you mean the V1?

[JonFrum]

I have been trying different tubes to find what I like, When you say the PI slot do you mean the V1?

I assume he means the phase inverter.

[rjgtr]

Yes I mean the Phase Inverter.

[bitsandvolts]

The JJ ECC83S is just as good as the Groove Tubes 12AX7-M and probably a little more reliable. It doesn't have quite as balanced a tone, with a little less low end, but it is a very good sounding tube. This is a nice tube in a dark amp...

Are you talking about the JJ ECC83s or the JJ ECC803s?

If you're talking about the ECC83s, I've found exactly the opposite. The ecc83s, in my experience, is a great tube for an overly bright amp, as the ecc83s tends to be a tad dark...and I've often considered the ecc83s to have too much in the low end dept.

[mark0614]

I wasn't really a believer of the whole NOS thing, but I bought some pre-amp tubes for a couple of amps I have.

I tried them all out in my Kendrick Roughneck (Champ like clone.)

The three tubes I have are NOS RFT's, the GT12AX7-M, and EI elites.

I thought the RFT sounded the best, it had good highs and a bit more girth than the other tubes. The EI was definitely chimier that the GT, the GT wasn't with out it's own charm, though I don't think it lived up to all the GT hype.

Yours Sincerely

Mark Abbott.

[gpower]

On a budget, I found Bob at eurotubes.com to be extremely helpful in choosing a tube set. He asked questions about the tone I was looking for and music I was playing etc. then recommended a set of tubes.

I bought the standard set for my Traynor YCV-20 with grade #25 el84's as he recommended.

This transformed the amp. It's much tighter sounding and when driven is not at all harsh. Before the retube I found the bass flabby and boomy. Now it's very tight.

He will hand pick tubes for an extra $5.

Customer service is exemplary.

[matthis]

try the gold grid groove tubes 12ax7.this is a real killer in british amps.sold several hundred of these during my days as a guitar salesman, everybody really liked them, got them in an 72 ac30 and in an 69´superlead.Pure Cool.

matthis

[s2]

Gotta tell ya. I just gave EH tubes a good hard look as I have been searching for a good 12AX7 for my pedals with low microphonics and a good detailed sound. The 12AX7EH is the clear winner amont the new production tubes I have tried recently. I found this article to be very true:

http://www.tubestore.com/12ax7review.html#summary

Based on this information, I am going to hail the EH as the best new production tube out there.

If anyone is interested, I have a whole box full of brand new microphonic JJs, EIs, and Winged Cs for sale ;)

[jersey_aaron]

I agree with that. They sound good and they aren't microphonic like the EI's.

[T-bones]

Buy NOS tubes from the right people. I don't really understand all the going around in circles with tubes. Preamp tubes last a long time even if you play out every night of the year. As long as your not droping your amp on a regular basis your pretty much in good company. By the time you spend all your time and money on the new stuff which is just junk to begin with, you could of bought NOS NIB tubes and been far ahead down the road of good tone. I mean no doubt some people buy the old stuff to collect and look at and never use. Mullards, Tung-Sol, G.E. and the rest of the best have had very stable prices over the past five years without going up or down that much. And as far as NOS NIB tubes there not rare, there are more know than I have ever seen and the prices are very good. Ebay is perfect just read the feedback on the sellers. Believe me I'm far from having deep pockets and spending silly money on amp's and guitars because they only made 5 of them. I'd put out $50 any time for a NIB Mullard 12AX7 over these $7 tubes and still ask the same ? over and over. Stay home one night don't party or whatever and you got one to start of with. I've got Mullards that are 20 freaking yrs old with many many hours on them and they still sound fresh. If there below there minimum gm. readings maybe you can replace one. It's a good idea to have a good tester, not a overpriced one that really can't tell you much more than your common priced ones. I get somewhat confused sometimes when everybody spends all the money and time into building these amp's on the forum and then spends $7 for a tube, Shame on you! Wow does this dude have a attitude or what, Yes I do when it comes to this subject. The early Tesla 12AX7 ECC803's Hungary made ones are very good place to start if you are really on a tube buget. Like I remember my NOS lasting longer than my output trannies in my early plexis. so that says a lot about old tube production. As far as old Marshall production used daily well need I say more. T-bones

[HeeBGB]

I have been testing NOS tubes a LOT lately and I have to agree with T-Bones on this one. This past few months I have spent building up my NOS 12AX7's which were kind of depleted. The tube that keeps rising to the top of the pack is a pull from an integrated amplifier. A Telefunken smooth plate. I just bought another tele pull and it is definately sweet. I paid $26 shipped for it. Not much more than a new GT12AX7-M and far better sounding and I'll bet more reliable and longer life too.

Mullards also rise to the top along with Amperex, RCA's and the RFT's. RFT's have a lot of gain BTW. If your lookin' for something with a little extra gas and still really good freq response...check out some RFT's from the sarge, and they're cheap as far as NOS goes.

Greg

[rjgtr]

RE: JJECC83 - I find the new ones - the "ECC83S" model to be more balanced than the older "ECC83". The S tube is not as dark. The new ECC803S is a great tube too, with a lot of gain.

I think the EH 12ax7 is a good tube, especially in V1 in a Fender where you want the a gain of a 7025, which wasn't as much as a 12ax7. The EH doesn't have as much gain as the JJs or GT12AX7M, but that isn't necessarily bad.

The GT with the gold pins is just a Ei Gold Elite - which I've heard is greatly improved over the normal Ei tubes. I would still like to see if they hold up, as even good Ei tubes tend to go bad after several weeks.

NOS - NOS - NOS

This is the way to go if you can afford it. KCA, Tubetramp (sarge) and Lord Valve seem to be real popular screeners. Even just using 1 Mullard and 2 RFTs can make all the difference in the smoothness of an amp. And as has been said, since NOS preamp tubes seem to last a long time, the investment may be worth it. The only NOS tube I haven't been overly fond of is the Phillips 12ax7. Marshall or Fender type ampIt is just a little too sterile for me.

[brownnote]

I'm going to throw my 2 cents in here...coming from a NOS is best point of view, I recommend the Electro Harmonix. JJ's would be my second choice but they're much different. Sovtek is OK. Groove Tubes...sorry but they're not so hot.

For a point of reference I'll say this...
I have a stockpile of mostly Mullard, Telefunken, RCA, Philips, Sylvania, & GE. Out of those I favor Mullard and RCA.

When I retube with NEW, I find myself reaching for the EH for tone and JJ for gain.

...kind of simplified, but that's my short opinion.