One more Valvetronix tube question

[CaptainCrunch]

So you guys have got me trying to be very discriminating with my VTH60 now, and my current aim with the amp is to improve the cleans to whatever degree I can. I'm trying to remove some high end harshness I am noticing. I can improve it some with an equalizer in the loop, but if a tube swap will smooth it out, I'm all for it. Based on that objective, what tube would you recommend??

BTW, I am so jazzed with a couple things right now, I gotta vent (in a good way).

1) I have an Earcandy Sovereign 1x12 scheduled to arrive tomorrow, got it for an unbelievable price - guess either nobody liked the color or nobody wants a 1x12 but me. Will be comparing it to my vintage Bassman 2x12 and an Avatar 2x12. Hope it is as good as advertised, I am trying to go as light and streamlined as I can get away with.

2) Just picked up a Peterson Stobostomp. Hated plunking down the $$ for this but one day with it and I'm a diehard advocate. I thought I had decent ears (and still think so) but this thing is the bomb. Comparing this thing to any Boss tuner is night and day. I won't even consider or refer to the Korg, Fender and other $20 gadgits as tuners anymore. Plus feature-wise, it is by all reports and seems so to me by ear to be true - true bypass and has a DI for acoustic (haven't used this yet, will over the holidays. It has many other special features as well, but this is starting to sound like an advertisment. For intonating a guitar, well, I've just never had my guitars sound this good before. Don't forget to answer my tube question!! :laugh2:

 

[75lespaul]

Re: One more Valvetronix tube question

I finally settled on the Groove Tubes 12AX7-M but there have been some reliability issues with this tube. Plus it is expensive as mine was $25 or so with shipping off of ebay. I haven't had any trouble with mine yet and I've heard the new runs of this tube have produced no problems. The Ruby ECC83 and a few NOS Mullard 12AT7 tubes also sounded really good.

I not sure but I believe by running a 12AT7 the clean headroom and tone will improve. You will lose some power but I didn't notice it that much with my AD60VTX. Our forum brothers will chime in on this I hope just to clarify.

I've got an Earcandy Buzzbomb 2X12 on the way so I'm really interested in hearing how you like the 1x12.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: One more Valvetronix tube question

I put a new Tungsol 12AX7 in my AD60 head, and it did seem to improve the overall fidelity of the amp, although that's about all it does. The tube isn't really in a position to mess too much with the gain levels, as they're all dictated by the digital preamp. I think the stock tube is just a cheap $5 tube, but using something like a GT-M, GT-C, JJ ECC803S, Tungsol, or Sovtek LPS, is a good way to improve the overall sound that makes it into the SS power amp. It's almost like using a good tube in a tube mic preamp, just because there's no reason not to.