NTD - EH EL84's and Tungsol 12AX7

[Wattage]

New Tube Day - I love my Jet City 20wt head but I was pretty sure the tubes were not the equal of the amp. So I had my buddy Richie at NY Music & Repair put it on the bench and see what was up.

He dropped a Tung SOl 12X7 in V1 and put in EH EL84's in place of the cheap Chinese tubes it came with. He tried the JJ EL's but they were kind of flat sounding, I don't really care for JJ's so that is fine by me. The amp sounds killer, it always amazes me what a new set of the right tubes do for an amp.

Everything is richer and a little more complex sounding just full on. The noise floor also dropped considerably. Lots of gain, tons of crunch - these little amps kill.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: NTD - EH EL84's and Tungsol 12AX7

I dropped some Tung Sol and Mullards into my Class 5, and it was like a different amp.

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: NTD - EH EL84's and Tungsol 12AX7

Hmmm... I may have to get a set of EH EL84's now. I've got JJ EL84's in the power section, and I think they sound fine. They really clear up once you get the master up to about 3.5.

By the way, I completely agree on the Tung-Sol in V1. I would also drop one in V2. And put a 12AU7 in the PI slot. If you have any problems with flubby bass, the PI can do a lot to help you, especially in that amp.

 

[ken361]

Re: NTD - EH EL84's and Tungsol 12AX7

I dropped some Tung Sol and Mullards into my Class 5, and it was like a different amp.

i have the same in my vox ac4, sounds better for sure

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: NTD - EH EL84's and Tungsol 12AX7

Even though I've got a bunch of NOS tubes, I can't say they sound any better than the best current production tubes like Tungsol, Svetlana, EH etc.

I can hear a big difference between NOS and cheap tubes, but today's good stuff is as good as it's always been IMO.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: NTD - EH EL84's and Tungsol 12AX7

tung sols are goooood

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: NTD - EH EL84's and Tungsol 12AX7

tung sols are goooood

I agree. I like them best out of the current production tubes I've tried. I also like the Mullard RI, but it's not really the same flavor. Both the JJ long and short plate 12AX7s are--and I'm trying to be nice here--not so good.

 

[Wattage]

Re: NTD - EH EL84's and Tungsol 12AX7

Tell you what this TungSol is the bomb diggity so far and I'm really impressed how the amp sounds opened up with the EH's too. The cheapo Chinese tubes that were in there did the job reasonably well or so I thought until I hear it now, dayum!!!

 

[CTN]

Re: NTD - EH EL84's and Tungsol 12AX7

haha yeah, the Tung Sol's and EHX's sound great in the Jet City stuff.

glad you're liking them!