HELP - ENGL E530 PreAmp Tube Replacement

cakire82

cakire82

Cake Mire
Hi guys! Sorry I have been out for a while. I had moved closer to city of Boston as I have started working on a new project in Boston and work has been crazy busy for the last 12 month along with birth of our first child.

During this time frame I didn't have much time to practice or gig unfortunately. Turning my E530 back on I have noticed that I still have the fizzy high gain sound going on forcing me to turn the treble all the way back down. It is time to do something about it...

I have contracted ENGL customer service and I am waiting to hear back from them but in the meanwhile being the inpatient tone hungry guy I am started googling around. I have read them people having similar issues with their own E530s. Common resolution to this problem is changing the tubes with JJ ECC83/12AX7s.

The problem is I have never changed tubes before so I am completely clueless. How does one go about doing this? Where to buy tubes from? What are the DOs and DONTs? Is Biasing required? Any special requirements or tool?

For those who can help E530 Manual is very brief and I can be downloaded from here

http://www.englamps.de/uploads/tx_ddfproducts/OM_E530_Tube_Preamp.pdf

Some Technical Data from this manual are as below
Caution: Replace fuses only with others of the same rating!
INSTRUMENT: -10 dB max. 0 dB
LINE OUT: -10 dB max.15 dB
Output level
(0 dB => 1Veff)
Tubes:
approx.4 kg
V1 => ECC83/12AX7 FirstQuality
V2 => ECC83/12AX7 selected
Dimensions:
Weight:
19", 1 rack spaces, depth: 260 mm
Input level INPUT: -20 dB max. -3 dB
(0 dB => 1Veff)
Headphones poweramp: 2 x 1,5 Watts at 4 Ohms
Power Consumption: approx. 16 Watts max.
 
Re: HELP - ENGL E530 PreAmp Tube Replacement

1. Where - you can buy tubes at Doug's Tubes or EuroTubes
2. Don'ts - don't touch the tubes. The oil from your skin will shorten the life.
3. Bias - no need to bias if only changing preamp tubes. Biasing affects power tubes.
4. Tools - screwdriver to open the preamp up
 
Re: HELP - ENGL E530 PreAmp Tube Replacement

Since they're fairly cheap I would buy 3 to 4 preamps and just switch them up to see which one works best.

Try a Tungsol 12ax7, JJ Ecc803, EHX 12ax7 and/or a Mullard PI / Sovtek LPS
 
Re: HELP - ENGL E530 PreAmp Tube Replacement

speed2dirt said:
1. Where - you can buy tubes at Doug's Tubes or EuroTubes
2. Don'ts - don't touch the tubes. The oil from your skin will shorten the life.
3. Bias - no need to bias if only changing preamp tubes. Biasing affects power tubes.
4. Tools - screwdriver to open the preamp up
Click to expand...

Sounds simple enough.

So what is the best way to handle tubes? gloves?
Also it was very hard to browse through eurotube but I came across this site there call tubedepot

http://www.tubedepot.com/jjtesla.html?gclid=COautvuf068CFYXCKgodJltUfA

There are some many different JJ ECC83/12AX7 out there

First i need to decide whether to choose Gold Pin or Regular

Then you have more options to choose from;

1) High Gain
2) Matching
3) Balanced Triodes
4) Matching + Balanced Triodes
5) Low noise and Micro phonics

How many would I need for my amp? Just 2? Would a matching pair be my choice? Other options to be considered?

Man I was not expecting this many options.... :)
 
Re: HELP - ENGL E530 PreAmp Tube Replacement

cakire82 said:
1) High Gain
2) Matching
3) Balanced Triodes
4) Matching + Balanced Triodes
5) Low noise and Micro phonics
Click to expand...

1. A high gain could work nice in the V1 spot (closest to input) but not necessary
2. You don't need nor wanting matching, that's more for power tubes.
3-4. Unneccessary.
5. It's decent and only a couple bucks more, but once again not needed.

Truthfully, just go with my previous post. Pick up 3-4 tubes. Diffferent brands to see which one you like best.
 
Re: HELP - ENGL E530 PreAmp Tube Replacement

Latex gloves are a good way to handle tubes. You can also use the plastic bag the tube will be in inside the box, but that's a little more tricky.

Most people say Gold Pin isn't worth it since your entire signal path isn't gold plated. I have no experience with them, but the consensus is they make no real world difference.

See below for an eHow tube change:
http://www.ehow.com/how_6677970_change-guitar-amp-tubes.html
 
Re: HELP - ENGL E530 PreAmp Tube Replacement

These guys are on top of it!

If the preamp isn't buried in your rack, then opening it up and swapping the pair of tubes will be cake once you get inside and see.

I use tungsol's in my e530. Its smooth but still in your face.

I haven't had good luck with gold pins on amps that I need to be ballzout.
They were cleaner but weren't as....ballzy??
Phenomenon occured on my E530, DSL50, and my HT-5(but that was pleasant).
 
Re: HELP - ENGL E530 PreAmp Tube Replacement

RobSoundtrack said:
These guys are on top of it!

If the preamp isn't buried in your rack, then opening it up and swapping the pair of tubes will be cake once you get inside and see.

I use tungsol's in my e530. Its smooth but still in your face.

I haven't had good luck with gold pins on amps that I need to be ballzout.
They were cleaner but weren't as....ballzy??
Phenomenon occured on my E530, DSL50, and my HT-5(but that was pleasant).
Click to expand...

Do you know how many tubes are in E530? I am too lazy to open it up until I receive the new tubes.

Did you also notice how useless treble control is on the lead channel? Did the tungsols resolve the issue for you?
 
Re: HELP - ENGL E530 PreAmp Tube Replacement

There are 2.
And my treble is pretty flexible? At least now it is.
It also really works in conjuction with high mid control.
Mess with both-at-a-time.

There's some 400 level engrish btw
 
Re: HELP - ENGL E530 PreAmp Tube Replacement

RobSoundtrack said:
There are 2.
And my treble is pretty flexible? At least now it is.
It also really works in conjuction with high mid control.
Mess with both-at-a-time.

There's some 400 level engrish btw
Click to expand...

Do you know what the difference is between these 2 below? They are both listed as 12AX7

http://www.dougstubes.com/preamp-tubes/12ax7-ecc83-7025/jj-ecc83.html

http://www.dougstubes.com/preamp-tubes/12ax7-ecc83-7025/jj-ecc803s.html

Does "S" at the end of ECC83 S stand for "Selected"? What does the term "Selected" mean?
 
Re: HELP - ENGL E530 PreAmp Tube Replacement

It's 83 vs 803
Double check me but I think the 803 is slightly less gainy w more headroom
83 is typical 12ax7

Buy and try my friend
 
Re: HELP - ENGL E530 PreAmp Tube Replacement

TwilightOdyssey said:
Myth.
Click to expand...

Yup. With stage lights, it's true but guitar amp tubes don't get that hot. Plus, these are preamp tubes, and they don't run as hot as power tubes. If you're worried, OP, then washing your hands is all you need to do.
 
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Re: HELP - ENGL E530 PreAmp Tube Replacement

Thanks guys I will buy a few and try and out.

Doug's tubes have 10% discount and free shipping for orders over 105$.
Are there any disadvantages for of buying and storing some extra power amp tubes (KT88) as well? They don't go bad by just waiting in the box correct?
 
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Re: HELP - ENGL E530 PreAmp Tube Replacement

Twilight, Guit, & Archer:
Thanks for correcting me! I've always heard that and never wanted to take a chance. To me, it's not a big deal putting on latex gloves, but good to know it's not imperative.
 
Re: HELP - ENGL E530 PreAmp Tube Replacement

speed2dirt said:
Twilight, Guit, & Archer:
Thanks for correcting me! I've always heard that and never wanted to take a chance. To me, it's not a big deal putting on latex gloves, but good to know it's not imperative.
Click to expand...

No problem! It's a pretty old myth carried over from audiophiles, who claim that the oil in your fingers leave 'hot spots' on the valve, which is false but adds mysticism to the proceedings. However, they also say skin effect is real. :)
 
Re: HELP - ENGL E530 PreAmp Tube Replacement

cakire82 said:
Do you know what the difference is between these 2 below? They are both listed as 12AX7

http://www.dougstubes.com/preamp-tubes/12ax7-ecc83-7025/jj-ecc83.html

http://www.dougstubes.com/preamp-tubes/12ax7-ecc83-7025/jj-ecc803s.html

Does "S" at the end of ECC83 S stand for "Selected"? What does the term "Selected" mean?
Click to expand...

The 803 is long platted JJ's. Usually lower gain, more head room and sound better.

83s are short platted, muddy, dull sounding pres
 
Re: HELP - ENGL E530 PreAmp Tube Replacement

Seeing all these NOS tubes out there this is probably a very silly question but is there a self/storage lifetime for preamp or power amp tubes?
 
Re: HELP - ENGL E530 PreAmp Tube Replacement

cakire82 said:
Seeing all these NOS tubes out there this is probably a very silly question but is there a self/storage lifetime for preamp or power amp tubes?
Click to expand...
No, but different tubes are rated for a different lifespans, measured in hours. There is a LOT of bunk behind so-called NOS, so approach with caution.
 
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