Changing the Tube of an Vox AD15?
- Thread starter xypher
- Start date
JeffB
Let it B
Re: Changing the Tube of an Vox AD15?
I've tried 3 different tubes in mine, and while in some ways they improve things, overall, I've yet to find anything better than the stock EH tube.
The GT 12ax7Cs, Mesa 12ax7, and the Sovtek 12ax7 I've tried have resulted in a entirely too tight/compressed tone and a loss in playing dynamics. The gain is increasdd quite a bit, and the amp gets darker and less 3 dimensional. I can see why these would work great in the pre-amp of a real tube amplifier, but IME they are a poor choice in the Vox modeller.
A speaker change will def improve things..especially on the 30W ADT which is by far the worst sounding of the ADT amps. Stick with the 8" or 12" speaker versions.
I've tried 3 different tubes in mine, and while in some ways they improve things, overall, I've yet to find anything better than the stock EH tube.
The GT 12ax7Cs, Mesa 12ax7, and the Sovtek 12ax7 I've tried have resulted in a entirely too tight/compressed tone and a loss in playing dynamics. The gain is increasdd quite a bit, and the amp gets darker and less 3 dimensional. I can see why these would work great in the pre-amp of a real tube amplifier, but IME they are a poor choice in the Vox modeller.
A speaker change will def improve things..especially on the 30W ADT which is by far the worst sounding of the ADT amps. Stick with the 8" or 12" speaker versions.
marvar
New member
Re: Changing the Tube of an Vox AD15?
I WOULD NOT replace the tube with a Mesa 12ax7-
I bought one once- I gave it away, the harshest, most sterile tone I have ever heard from a 12ax7 from any tube maker. I tried it in every position in my amps, and just could not get on with it at all- I gave it to a guy with a Mesa, maybe it sounds ok in them, but awful in everything else I tried it in.
I WOULD NOT replace the tube with a Mesa 12ax7-
I bought one once- I gave it away, the harshest, most sterile tone I have ever heard from a 12ax7 from any tube maker. I tried it in every position in my amps, and just could not get on with it at all- I gave it to a guy with a Mesa, maybe it sounds ok in them, but awful in everything else I tried it in.
GinoAmes
New member
Re: Changing the Tube of an Vox AD15?
I would only replace your tube with a EH like it comes with. I have the 50 watt valvetronix and tried some other tube brands and put the original back in. I found lots of new noise showed up. When I put the original back in it sounded great. I only changed it because I had got the amp used and thought maybe it would sound "newer". Vox says the tube should last about 3 years so I figure next year I'll get a new EH tube for it. Great amp,I love it.
I would only replace your tube with a EH like it comes with. I have the 50 watt valvetronix and tried some other tube brands and put the original back in. I found lots of new noise showed up. When I put the original back in it sounded great. I only changed it because I had got the amp used and thought maybe it would sound "newer". Vox says the tube should last about 3 years so I figure next year I'll get a new EH tube for it. Great amp,I love it.
S
shogunlegend
Guest
Re: Changing the Tube of an Vox AD15?
i had a valvetronix and lost a lot of volume when i went with a gt silver tube. then i took it back and got a gt gold (russian 12ax7) and it was just as loud, more gain, and sounded better. you might want to try that.
i had a valvetronix and lost a lot of volume when i went with a gt silver tube. then i took it back and got a gt gold (russian 12ax7) and it was just as loud, more gain, and sounded better. you might want to try that.
Spark
New member
Re: Changing the Tube of an Vox AD15?
+1 (except I only tried 2 different tubes). And it was a pain to do - totally not worth it.
+1 (except I only tried 2 different tubes). And it was a pain to do - totally not worth it.
