New Power Tubes Rock

[misterwhizzy]

So I turned on my amp Friday, and it sounded like the power tubes were going out. So I ordered a pair of cheap ElectroHarmonix EL84s and got them in the mail today. Pulled out the chassis, removed the not-very-old Tung-Sols, put the new ones in, checked and adjusted the bias, and fired it up.

These things sound great. I've never tried EHX before in the power section, but they sound better than the Mullards, Tung-Sols, JJs, or Rubys. I think I'm done paying for "premium."

 

[Surgeon]

Re: New Power Tubes Rock

Eharmonix are indeed very solid for the price. Their el34 s are superb and their 6ca7s are even better. I really liked their el84s as well.

However, the biggest surprise to me was how awesome their 12ax7 are. Every bit as good as the Tung Sols that have been my #1 current rpoduction preamp tubes for many years. They might even be a tiny bit warmer.

Great value for sure. I know there are plenty of folks that don't like them and that's fine. As for comparison with NOS preamp tubes, I'm sure the old ones sound great, probably better but I've always been the kinda guy who'd rather find the current production tubes that suit the amp best and have spares around (or easy ones to find) than pay through the nose for tubes can't easily be replaced once they crap out... But there are of course plenty of opinions on the subject, that's just my take.

 

[Diego]

Re: New Power Tubes Rock

I've got EHX 6CA7 tubes in my Tweaker.
They tighten up the clean tone a lot compared to the stock EHX 6V6 tubes which are smooth, loose and creamy in comparison.

No failures from my EHX tubes whatsoever.

 

[JeffB]

Re: New Power Tubes Rock

I prefer the mullard ri el84s, but ehx are not shabby. I like them better than JJs or Sovtek.

 

[dystrust]

Re: New Power Tubes Rock

I've had a few EH 12AX7s fail, but nothing major. Pretty good record considering that I've been using them since fall 2001.

 

[Phantasmagoria]

Re: New Power Tubes Rock

I like the new stuff mostly ..though I do like (NOS) RFT El84's (a bit pricey) and cheap russian 6P14's (El84 equivalents) ...I got 8 of them for $30 and they sound amazing. Never tried any EHX's

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: New Power Tubes Rock

I halfway convinced myself I heard and/or felt the difference between JJs, Mullards, and Tung-Sols. These are noticeably better in the top end sparkle that those were lacking without being noticeably sharp. I think that's been my biggest gripe with this amp since I solved my previous problem of not having an effects loop, which was a much bigger problem and much more difficult to solve.