Replacement Tubes for 12AX7 -12AU7?

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Naim101

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Hello guys, I recently purchased a tube integrated amplifier and was wondering what would be the best sounding tubes for the above tube models? This is my first time having a tube gear so I don't have much knowledge with different tube types and tube rolling. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
 
Telefunken ECC803S. If you find a stash of genuine new old stock (NOS) somewhere, please feel free PM. :lookatthat:
 
Brett Jessee had a pretty good description of how the different brands and types sound on his website.
12AX7 Tubes in Stock
That said a lot depends on the rest of your system. When I had the Dynaudio C1's I preferred original Mullard and Telefunken long plates for a warmer sound. With the Raidho Di's I prefer Telefunken short plates or Gec - CBS/Hytron - Brimar etc. Just have to try them and hear for yourself.
 
Thank you for the replies! I am just beggining to tube roll so I don't know what to expect. Do they make a big difference in sound? Also, I was wondering if anyone can recommend a tube that has more of a solid state presentation with extremely low noise?
 
In that case try the Gold Lion Re issue version first and find out if you can hear the difference. I wouldn't recommend the NOS tubes for starter. The GL tubes are very quiet. My 2 cents and welcome to dark side :)
 
I agree new Gold Lion Reissues from Russia are an excellent and economical start.
 
Gold lion re-issue is very good and so is the Sovek 12ax7lps (my personal opinion is the Sovtek is more SS sounding). As far as low noise just buy from a dealer that tests for microphonics. As far as the 12au7 I really like the Cbs/Hyton 5814 for a SS sound

That said when I first got into tubes (Octave V70SE) I asked other Octave owners what they preferred and the best answer I got was 'just try them and form your own opinion'. Because it all revolves around the sound you want to hear from your system as a whole.

What output tubes do you have?
 
If money is not an object, I like the EAT 803S.

Alternatively, vintage Tesla E83cc tubes are quite good but probably will need to get them on eBay from a eastern Europe.
 
Naim101 said:
Thank you for the replies! I am just beggining to tube roll so I don't know what to expect. Do they make a big difference in sound? Also, I was wondering if anyone can recommend a tube that has more of a solid state presentation with extremely low noise?
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How would describe the sound of a "solid state presentation?" Why would you buy a tube integrated amp only to desire to make it have a "solid state presentation?"
 
mep said:
How would describe the sound of a "solid state presentation?" Why would you buy a tube integrated amp only to desire to make it have a "solid state presentation?"
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Hahahah... good question MEP.

If he really wants that though, the stock recommedation would be Siemens, Telefunken or RSD.

Siemens and Telef are pricey as they have hype behind them, but RSD is quietly a rebranded Telef and comes in a great deal cheaper.

Frankly, I like Myles's suggestion the best, but that's just me. If high gain is not needed, the the ECC82 may be the way to go and then Phillips, GE, RCA, Tungsram, Mazda, Mullards, etc can be looked at. Its all taste dependent and like a good chem lab analyst, one can mix and match tube types to get almost any desired flavour.
 
Another excellent 12AX7 is a vintage 1950's Raytheon with the long shiny ribbed black plates. They have a black background with a slight warm and dark edge with plenty of detail, air, musicality and good dynamics. Its the best I have heard so far. Much better than the NOS Mullard long and short plates, vintage RCA black plates, Valvo and tung sol.
 
So, are you guys giving your recommendations for the best sounding 12AU7/12AX7 tube(s) or the 12AU7/12AX7 tubes you think most sound like SS?
 
IMO mine are the most SS sounding (very linear) compared to a warm 'tubey' sound (much better prat). Depends on your entire setup. When I had Dynaudio C1's and C1 Signatures I preferred the warm 'tubey' sound. With the Raidho D1's the more SS sounds much better without losing any prat. So many combinations of tubes can be used to get many different results without having to be a 'Box Swapper' - cheaper too even with vintage tubes ;)
 
My amp is currently using the PVANE 12ax7 T2 (2) and PVANE 12au7 T2.(1)

I didn't like the sound of my integrated hybrid amp because there was too much noise and gave too much of a RAW sound vs. refinement.

I took the 12au7 tube out and I'm getting much more refinement and lesser noise. Soundstaging depth is not so layerd, but I would gladly trade it off for the clarity I'm getting.

I don't know why people at AudioCircle forum went so crazy with the Pvane tubes, to me it's very dissapointing.

With my hybrid amp, I guess tubes makes a huge difference sound wise. I can clearly hear a big difference with and without 1 single tube in the mix. My amp drives 3x.


Ive ordered the Gold lion reissues like some of you guys have suggested. Should arrive sometime next week. Thanks for all the advices!
 
Myles B. Astor said:
If money is not an object, I like the EAT 803S.

Alternatively, vintage Tesla E83cc tubes are quite good but probably will need to get them on eBay from a eastern Europe.
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I would like to get into some EAT KT88s after the Gold Lions but heard were some EAT QC issues?
 
Steve said:
I would like to get into some EAT KT88s after the Gold Lions but heard were some EAT QC issues?
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I have Eat KT88 diamonds with serial #'s beginning with 'D'. Very problematic with my Octave. Lost 3 of 6 in just a couple of weeks. I was told by one 'tube guy' the Eats were designed to work with a plate voltage closer to 450V. Octave's plate voltage is 540V in low power and 620V in high power. This happened when I had the V70SE at 540V. Oh and I lost a KR Audio KT88 (which was made by Eat and I believe they are the original Tesla KT88 tube). I bought the tubes used from a reputable dealer.

That said when they did work they the clearest most linear tube I ever heard from top to bottom. The original Gec/MO/Gold Lion/Monarch KT88 is pretty close but a bit dry sounding compared to the Eat. I have had great luck with Ei KT90 type 2 and also somewhat similar.
 
The best sounding 12AX7 is not a 12AX7, it's a 5751. It has slightly lower gain so it might not work properly in all circuits.

I've tried a lot of both new and NOS 12AU7's in my preamp and phono stage and the best I've found are the Baldwins. Very balanced sound and not expensive. Try them if you get a chance.
 
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