I'm going let you in on a little secret....

[hermetico]

Re: I'm going let you in on a little secret....

GT mullard 12ax7

These are just rebranded chinesse tubes, selected by their top-notch specifications and, probably, coming from the 9th tube generation batches (the only ones that worths a try). They usually work best in PI positions.

 

[hermetico]

Re: I'm going let you in on a little secret....

Depending on the amp, I have heard Sovtek LPS are really good. I plan on getting a few.

They are!. Specially for Fender-like ones but, I prefer those on next tone shapping positions, not V1 (by example V2) and, avoiding cathode-follower positions (were spiral filament tubes tend to fail) or PI positions (were it shines as one of the best tubes for this position but... last very few there).

 

[mwalluk]

Re: I'm going let you in on a little secret....

I will share with you a little secret too...

Mullard reissues are the new production tube I love more BUT.... tone-wise, the best ones are Genelec Gold Lion reissues BUT, they are weak, they last very short (some didn't lived more than 3 hours) and are eventually expensiver than some NOS tubes.

I have a pair of Gold Lion RI KT88s and a single 12ax7.

I find it solid and almost neutral. Has a bigness to them as well. Problem is they really don't bring much to the table, that I couldn't get with other New Production tubes. Not to mention the insane price tag.

I actually preferred my JJs KT88s over them. In terms of 12ax7, I liked Tungsols and Mullards more.

 

[hermetico]

Re: I'm going let you in on a little secret....

I have a pair of Gold Lion RI KT88s and a single 12ax7.

I find it solid and almost neutral. Has a bigness to them as well. Problem is they really don't bring much to the table, that I couldn't get with other New Production tubes. Not to mention the insane price tag.

I actually preferred my JJs KT88s over them. In terms of 12ax7, I liked Tungsols and Mullards more.

So, try Mullard EL84 reissues!!!

 

[mwalluk]

Re: I'm going let you in on a little secret....

So, try Mullard EL84 reissues!!!

I may have to for my Jet City combo. That said, those EL84s wouldn't work in my VHT (KT88).

 

[sosomething]

Re: I'm going let you in on a little secret....

I have a bunch of old glass in my Pittbull that's going to stay there, but when that stuff starts dying, I'll look into the new Mullards for sure.

 

[formula73]

Re: I'm going let you in on a little secret....

My Metaltronix sounds like GOD with an old Matsushi.ta 12ax7a in V1, RCA blackplates everywhere else, and the junk JJ EL34s in the power section, but when they go, I'd be down to try these XF-2 Mullard RIs I've seen around.

 

[MisterE]

Re: I'm going let you in on a little secret....

These are just rebranded chinesse tubes, selected by their top-notch specifications and, probably, coming from the 9th tube generation batches (the only ones that worths a try). They usually work best in PI positions.

Can you recommend them over the Tung-Sol's?

BTW, I want to thank you, watching your videos on YT helped me narrow my decision to choose the VHT Special 6 Ultra instead of a Bugera V22.

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: I'm going let you in on a little secret....

You know, I only have one of them, but I pulled out my Mullard RI today and put it in V1 just for a comparison, and I was surprised. The Tung-Sol was a bit bassier and much better balanced overall. What I did not expect to hear was harshness from the Mullard in the upper mids. Compared to the Tung-Sol, it's stiffer and a little less lively. It's still a great tube, but I like the Tung-Sol a lot better.

For what it's worth, I used to have sort of the opposite opinion. Maybe preamp tubes do get a little better with age.

 

[MisterE]

Re: I'm going let you in on a little secret....

I will share with you a little secret too...

Mullard reissues are the new production tube I love more BUT.... tone-wise, the best ones are Genelec Gold Lion reissues BUT, they are weak, they last very short (some didn't lived more than 3 hours) and are eventually expensiver than some NOS tubes.

Therefore, yes, without any doubt:
Mullard 12AX7 and EL84 reissues are my preferred new production tubes.
And they last, and last, and last...

I did a lot of tube swapping and that's what I want for tone-shaping positions and, eventually for PI positions, because they have an awesome transconductance, nice gain and output, note definition and 3D plain EQ representation, with outstanding harmonic content and an incredible crunch when highly overdrived.
Unfortunately, not easy to source.

Thanks, I'll take your word for it. BTW, nice job on the youtube videos watching them helped determine my choice of amp. Do you use the 12AX7's in both positions or a combination?