EH Gold 12ax7 vs their regular ones...

[Surgeon]

Any of you guys compared the two?

I'm really not a fan of the "gold pins are better" motto for many reasons (which I won't state to avoid a debate that would be useless here) and usually just avoid them.

However, I spent some time switching preamp tubes in my Thunderverb yesterday and had some on hand (they were in my Rocker 30 when I bought it) and I'll be damned if they weren't the best tube for V1 in that amp (compared to the stock one, TungSol RI, Sovtek LPS and the PM that I borrowed from the reverb).

So I'm thinking I'd like a few more of those 'cause I really like the way it sounded but my BS sensor still tingles because of the gold pins thingy and I'd rather buy the regular ones if there isn't much/any difference.

Can anyone tell me their experience when comparing the two?

Gracias

 

[JeffB]

Re: EH Gold 12ax7 vs their regular ones...

If the gold pins sound great, buy more. Simple as that. Elelctro Harmonix tubes are not terribly expensive, even in gold pin versions.

I understand trying to shift through the BS, but Most of the time,.when I try to "cheap out" on gear, I end up paying more in the long run.

 

[Dr. Vegetable]

Re: EH Gold 12ax7 vs their regular ones...

If your BS sensor is at odds with your ears, one of them is in need of re-calibration.

 

[Surgeon]

Re: EH Gold 12ax7 vs their regular ones...

If the gold pins sound great, buy more. Simple as that. Elelctro Harmonix tubes are not terribly expensive, even in gold pin versions.

I understand trying to shift through the BS, but Most of the time,.when I try to "cheap out" on gear, I end up paying more in the long run.

I agree. Still, I don't think making sure I don't pay extra for something that makes no sense or is useless (IF that's the case) counts as cheaping out... Still you're right, they're not expensive.

If your BS sensor is at odds with your ears, one of them is in need of re-calibration.

You didn't get what I meant, they are not at odds (still). I don't believe in gold pins for many reasons (and I don't want to turn this into a debate). However, the tubes (dunno if it is due to the pins or not, I don't think so but can't prove it) do sound good. Since I'm not in a position to compare both right now, I'm asking your opinion on the tubes (don't care about your opinion of my ears or beliefs).
I'll gladly change my mind on the subject if the tubes really do sound better but I can't test this right now.

 

[Rich_S]

Re: EH Gold 12ax7 vs their regular ones...

It doesn't sound like this is a "gold pins vs. regular pins" discussion, since you apparently didn't compare a regular EH-12AX7. The difference between the tubes of different makes and/or models is going to be much greater than any perceived difference between plating materials. The TubeDepot comparison tool lists the exact same specs for both EHX tubes, and describes them using the same sales blurb, leading me to conclude that they have the same guts. The EH-12AX7GP just has gold plating and costs 58% more.

Other manufacturers may make additional internal changes to create a premium tube, include gold pins, and call it "gold". I don't really know.

I find it extremely unlikely you'll hear the difference made by a few microns of gold plating. However, I'm sure you'll hear a difference between either EHX tube and other manufacturer's tubes. I say buy an EH-12AX7 and try it.

 

[MrTondo]

Re: EH Gold 12ax7 vs their regular ones...

Maybe a dumb question, but you do not have the 'regular' ehx 12ax7's at hand/in one of your amps do you?

 

[Dr. Vegetable]

Re: EH Gold 12ax7 vs their regular ones...

...I'll gladly change my mind on the subject if the tubes really do sound better but I can't test this right now.

That's all I was saying. If they sound good to you, who cares if they claim they're made of unicorn horns and fairy toenails? The sound you get is the only thing that really matters.

 

[Surgeon]

Re: EH Gold 12ax7 vs their regular ones...

It doesn't sound like this is a "gold pins vs. regular pins" discussion, since you apparently didn't compare a regular EH-12AX7.

I was hoping somebody else had... that was the whole point of this thread.

The difference between the tubes of different makes and/or models is going to be much greater than any perceived difference between plating materials. The TubeDepot comparison tool lists the exact same specs for both EHX tubes, and describes them using the same sales blurb, leading me to conclude that they have the same guts. The EH-12AX7GP just has gold plating and costs 58% more.

Other manufacturers may make additional internal changes to create a premium tube, include gold pins, and call it "gold". I don't really know.

I find it extremely unlikely you'll hear the difference made by a few microns of gold plating. However, I'm sure you'll hear a difference between either EHX tube and other manufacturer's tubes. I say buy an EH-12AX7 and try it.

I agree with you and it was my impression/opinion as well. I'm just wondering if anyone heard anything different by comparing them. Me not believing or agreeing with something doesn't make it an absolute false so other folks' opinion is something I'm looking for in that matter.

Maybe a dumb question, but you do not have the 'regular' ehx 12ax7's at hand/in one of your amps do you?

That would've made things too easy

That's all I was saying. If they sound good to you, who cares if they claim they're made of unicorn horns and fairy toenails? The sound you get is the only thing that really matters.

I know, I'm just wondering if I can get the same tone by paying 50% less for the regular-non-fairy-dust-coated-tubes from the same cie... know what I mean? I'm trying to be sensible about this instead of buying into the hype of something I seriously doubt makes a difference.

 

[Rich_S]

Re: EH Gold 12ax7 vs their regular ones...

Actually, I believe that the primary effect of gold plating is that it makes the tone of Internet threads on the subject of vacuum tubes 50% more contentious. If any of that tone snuck into my post, that was not my intention.

Let's cut back to the basics:

1. Surgeon didn't have a regular EH-12AX7 to compare, just the gold-pin variety.
2. Nobody who has responded to this thread has done a comparison between the EH-12AX7 and the EH-12AX7GP, either.
3. Tube Depot HAS done such a comparison, and their findings are that the tubes sound and perform the same.

For my part, I'm about to order a few different 12AX7s to try in my 18 Watter clone, and I'll probably include an EH-12AX7 in the order. I won't order a EH-12AX7GP, since I expect it will sound exactly the same. I'll order some different tubes instead, like a Tung Sol and maybe a Mullard, just to see how they sound in my amp.

 

[Surgeon]

Re: EH Gold 12ax7 vs their regular ones...

[*]Tube Depot HAS done such a comparison, and their findings are that the tubes sound and perform the same.

See that's a good point. I just thought/figured that they used the same sales pitch/info for both types without having performed the tests... I'm more familiar with the Tubestore so I didn't dig much deeper with tubedepot.

Thanks Rich.

 

[marvar]

Re: EH Gold 12ax7 vs their regular ones...

have you tried more than one EH gold?
it could be the luck of the draw that you happend upon a tube up to spec.

 

[Surgeon]

Re: EH Gold 12ax7 vs their regular ones...

have you tried more than one EH gold?
it could be the luck of the draw that you happend upon a tube up to spec.

If memory serves I tried 2 of the 3 I have... it's worth reverifying though. Thanks.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: EH Gold 12ax7 vs their regular ones...

I've been buying EH 12AX7's in recent years because I think they're the best for the money. I also have a gold pin version, and I don't hear any difference between them. They're identical except for the pins. The only difference in the description is that they claim gold plated pins have a more secure contact with the socket.
Personally, I've never had a problem with regular pins not seating properly in a socket.

They probably do it to cash in on the guys who always like to pay more for a perceived value. The regular ones are $12 and the gold ones are $19. I think the Russian Groove Tube 12AX7R's for $20 are the same tubes as the silver pin EH's.

 

[Hank-]

Re: EH Gold 12ax7 vs their regular ones...

Could it be possible that these gold pin versions are actually the tubes that turn out to be in +/-2% window of variation of the required manufacturing specs? I mean say a 12ax7 tube was made & it tested to have 99% matched triodes(wateva its called) or upto 99% mark of required gain, so that's as close as they can get in practical terms with material variations etc for the tube to be made as close to the desired specs, then they'd separate these out from the rest & have the pins gold plated and sold at a higher price. Seems possible to me, what say ye?

 

[marvar]

Re: EH Gold 12ax7 vs their regular ones...

don't they have to do the plating before they are assembled/inspected?
what I mean is, aren't the pins plated all the way thru the tube, or, do they just stick the assembled tube's pins in gold plating and cover only the pins outside the tube?
I don't know- thats why I'm asking-

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: EH Gold 12ax7 vs their regular ones...

Could it be possible that these gold pin versions are actually the tubes that turn out to be in +/-2% window of variation of the required manufacturing specs? I mean say a 12ax7 tube was made & it tested to have 99% matched triodes(wateva its called) or upto 99% mark of required gain, so that's as close as they can get in practical terms with material variations etc for the tube to be made as close to the desired specs, then they'd separate these out from the rest & have the pins gold plated and sold at a higher price. Seems possible to me, what say ye?

I thought about that, but I think the gold pins are built into the glass before it can even be tested. I really think EH just gives consumers two price points to choose from.

 

[Surgeon]

Re: EH Gold 12ax7 vs their regular ones...

I've been buying EH 12AX7's in recent years because I think they're the best for the money. I also have a gold pin version, and I don't hear any difference between them. They're identical except for the pins. The only difference in the description is that they claim gold plated pins have a more secure contact with the socket.
Personally, I've never had a problem with regular pins not seating properly in a socket.

They probably do it to cash in on the guys who always like to pay more for a perceived value. The regular ones are $12 and the gold ones are $19. I think the Russian Groove Tube 12AX7R's for $20 are the same tubes as the silver pin EH's.

Thank you, that's exactly the kind of first-hand experience I was hoping to get from this thread. I'm guessing the gold is mainly to satisfy the audiophile crowd (not sayin' there's an effect for them either...) or people who think that having "only" the tubes pins plated will be something beneficial (IMO, both surfaces should be gold to have any kind of impact on electricity conduction).

I've been a Tung-Sol fan for a good while but I've been quite pleasantly surprised by these I must say. It really made a difference in the Thunderverb and sounds nicer than the TS.

Could it be possible that these gold pin versions are actually the tubes that turn out to be in +/-2% window of variation of the required manufacturing specs? I mean say a 12ax7 tube was made & it tested to have 99% matched triodes(wateva its called) or upto 99% mark of required gain, so that's as close as they can get in practical terms with material variations etc for the tube to be made as close to the desired specs, then they'd separate these out from the rest & have the pins gold plated and sold at a higher price. Seems possible to me, what say ye?

I'll have to side with the other guys here with the timing of fabrication and all... would've sounded very reasonable otherwise but why make them gold-plated then? One could just label them "premium" (or something) and save on the pins...

 

[Low_fidelity2100]

Re: EH Gold 12ax7 vs their regular ones...

I've been buying EH 12AX7's in recent years because I think they're the best for the money. I also have a gold pin version, and I don't hear any difference between them. They're identical except for the pins. The only difference in the description is that they claim gold plated pins have a more secure contact with the socket.
Personally, I've never had a problem with regular pins not seating properly in a socket.

They probably do it to cash in on the guys who always like to pay more for a perceived value. The regular ones are $12 and the gold ones are $19. I think the Russian Groove Tube 12AX7R's for $20 are the same tubes as the silver pin EH's.

+1 Same experience here.

Been Buying EH12AX7's for the past few years, cause they sound good, last a good amount of time, and are cheap enough I can keep several spares in Guitar cases incase anything dies at a gig. Decided to buy some of the Gold Pin's awhile back to see if there was any difference. And as far as I can tell, they're identical, cept for the pins. No more sound difference between the Gold Pin's, and the Regular ones, than there would be between two Regular EH12AX7's.

 

[Surgeon]

Re: EH Gold 12ax7 vs their regular ones...

+1 Same experience here.

Been Buying EH12AX7's for the past few years, cause they sound good, last a good amount of time, and are cheap enough I can keep several spares in Guitar cases incase anything dies at a gig. Decided to buy some of the Gold Pin's awhile back to see if there was any difference. And as far as I can tell, they're identical, cept for the pins. No more sound difference between the Gold Pin's, and the Regular ones, than there would be between two Regular EH12AX7's.

Thank you for your input.

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: EH Gold 12ax7 vs their regular ones...

Well, this thread inspired me to pull out an old EHX I never thought too highly of and give it another shot. It sounded great. At least as good as the Tung-Sol it replaced. I think the top end is a little rounder, and the mids are a bit crunchier, but I never remember it sounding that good. Thanks for making me try it again.