Tubes for Zesto Phonostage

[Mike]

Anyone have any suggestions for some different tubes I could try in my Zesto Andros PS1 phonostage?

Zesto Audio

 

[Petro85]

Ohbythebay is your guy on that. He gave me a great knowledge of the tubes I would do best with in. And knows his stuff.
That is a beautiful phonostage. How's it sound? Load that up with some good old mullards.

 

[Mike]

Ohbythebay is your guy on that. He gave me a great knowledge of the tubes I would do best with in. And knows his stuff.
That is a beautiful phonostage. How's it sound? Load that up with some good old mullards.

It sounds amazing and if I wasn't such an ARC fan (one who dreams of the REF2SE!), I would not sell it....still might not....it's that good.

 

[dlb2]

Looks like it uses 12ax7's which a nice common tube. I find that most of the new tubes sound pretty similar so you could try something like Tung-Sol's and see if there is any difference from the OEM tubes, which I think are JJ's. I really like the new Gold Lion 12ax7's. I find them to be crystal clear with good extension without being harsh. They seem well made and last long so the added price is worth it to me.

If you want to try some NOS tubes you could do something like Mullard, RCA, Sylvania or Amperex for a nice smooth, warm sound. Siemens or Telefunken tubes may not have the lushness of the aforementioned but are very clear, precise and open. Not to mention crazy expensive $$$.

I'm not a big fan of JJ's. I find them harsh and very forward sounding.

 

[Mike]

Looks like it uses 12ax7's which a nice common tube. I find that most of the new tubes sound pretty similar so you could try something like Tung-Sol's and see if there is any difference from the OEM tubes, which I think are JJ's. I really like the new Gold Lion 12ax7's. I find them to be crystal clear with good extension without being harsh. They seem well made and last long so the added price is worth it to me.

If you want to try some NOS tubes you could do something like Mullard, RCA, Sylvania or Amperex for a nice smooth, warm sound. Siemens or Telefunken tubes may not have the lushness of the aforementioned but are very clear, precise and open. Not to mention crazy expensive $$$.

I'm not a big fan of JJ's. I find them harsh and very forward sounding.

Thanks!!

 

[A/V Solutions]

Anyone have any suggestions for some different tubes I could try in my Zesto Andros PS1 phonostage?

Zesto Audio

Mike.....I've tried a bunch of vintage stuf, Tele's, Amperex, RCA, Tung-Sol, Mullards, etc. keep the stockers!!!!! unless you want to change its tonal balance, the circuit was voiced around the current tube. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[Mike]

Mike.....I've tried a bunch of vintage stuf, Tele's, Amperex, RCA, Tung-Sol, Mullards, etc. keep the stockers!!!!! unless you want to change its tonal balance, the circuit was voiced around the current tube. Just my 2 cents worth.

Interesting. The stock tubes do sound good...just thought some tube rolling would be fun.

 

[ohbythebay]

Interesting. The stock tubes do sound good...just thought some tube rolling would be fun.

Don't quit. No way new tubes can match the sounds of vintage tubes..you just have to match their qualities to the situation.. You want detail ? RCA or GE blackplates..smooth out the edges of too bright...Mullards....

I could even send you a set to try (I want them back..lol)..I just realized...you need 4 matched...I only have matched pairs...so let me see ..BUT WORTH THE ROLL !! Took me 10 sets to find...Perfection !

 

[Divotdog]

Don't quit. No way new tubes can match the sounds of vintage tubes..you just have to match their qualities to the situation.. You want detail ? RCA or GE blackplates..smooth out the edges of too bright...Mullards....

I could even send you a set to try (I want them back..lol)..I just realized...you need 4 matched...I only have matched pairs...so let me see ..BUT WORTH THE ROLL !! Took me 10 sets to find...Perfection !

I don’t know Rob, if the piece is designed around a specific tube it is usually best to stick with that tube, particularly in a phono stage.

 

[ohbythebay]

I don’t know Rob, if the piece is designed around a specific tube it is usually best to stick with that tube, particularly in a phono stage.

I understand...but a 12AX7 is a 12AX7 ..the nuances are in the build and materials not different frequencies. New tech just doesn't match what was made in the hay day of tubes...not to mention materials..and then there is the noise floor. Some of the military grade JG's and WA were dead quiet, no microphonics. They can't tune to a tube, only to the spec on the tube. So by rolling, he can get the nuances inherent to the build....Just my two cents.

It was like replacing mu Shugang 12AX7 in my headphone amp with a Mullard and then an RCA Black plate...beautiful...but its more experiment than science. A Mullard in his may be perfect or may be dull. An RCA Triple Mica Black plate may be sweet detailed or overly bright..But I can bet dollars to donuts, there are much better than new..If they are JJ's..eeek...

Here is a great read on old vs new on a very famous loved brand 12AX7 tube
http://www.marshallforum.com/marsha...-reissue-vs-original-physical-comparison.html

 

[MrAcoustat]

I understand...but a 12AX7 is a 12AX7 ..the nuances are in the build and materials not different frequencies. New tech just doesn't match what was made in the hay day of tubes...not to mention materials..and then there is the noise floor. Some of the military grade JG's and WA were dead quiet, no microphonics. They can't tune to a tube, only to the spec on the tube. So by rolling, he can get the nuances inherent to the build....Just my two cents.

It was like replacing mu Shugang 12AX7 in my headphone amp with a Mullard and then an RCA Black plate...beautiful...but its more experiment than science. A Mullard in his may be perfect or may be dull. An RCA Triple Mica Black plate may be sweet detailed or overly bright..But I can bet dollars to donuts, there are much better than new..If they are JJ's..eeek...

Here is a great read on old vs new on a very famous loved brand 12AX7 tube
Mullard Reissue vs Original - A Physical Comparison - Marshall Amp Forum

- - - ohbythebay

 

[joeinid]

Hi Mike,

Would the Zesto phono be considered on the warmer side of neutral?