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Post subject: Re: 12AX7/7025 Tubes
Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2014 5:39 pm
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A pair of high testing 5751's, if anyone is interested. From Audio Trader site:


http://www.audioasylumtrader.com/ca/ca.html?ca=107266


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Post subject: Re: 12AX7/7025 Tubes
Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2014 8:26 pm
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I got to try some Sylvania and Gold Lion 12AX7 this evening... Sylvanias were nice, but not exactly what I was looking for, and they also felt low in output.

The GL 12AX7 are some nice tubes! Me likey! :mrgreen: very similar to the Mullard RI that I like but better in every way. And the best part is they seem tougher and quieter, no microphonics at all. The output and clarity is excellent, so is the bass response. A little brighter, but still not bright enough for me, I know, I'm asking too much... but it's my style of playing, at home, I like to keep the guitar volume around 8 and use my fingers, so that doesn't help.

I tested the tubes in my VLR, which is already a warm sounding amp, I'll test 'em in the others tomorrow just to see how they behave...

Comparing the GL and Mullard side-by-side they look identical, but I'm sure there are minor differences that make this a better tube. Just hope they last longer than the Mullards!

Thanks Bimmer for recommending this tube! Next on the list is some Chinese tubes...


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Post subject: Re: 12AX7/7025 Tubes
Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2014 11:21 pm
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Glad you liked the Gold Lion's. This is one tube that clearly stands out from all other new Russian made 12AX7 types. I have some in my Bassman (tremolo section) and in my Tremolux. So far, so good.

Be interested in your opinion of those Chinese tubes. PSVANE are supposed to be THE 12AX7. But, they make the GL's look cheap.



http://psvanetube.com/wordpress/categor ... /feedback/

http://psvanetube.com/wordpress/store/p ... or-single/


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Post subject: Re: 12AX7/7025 Tubes
Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2014 12:06 am
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BMW2002Ti wrote:
I have some in my Bassman (tremolo section) and in my Tremolux.


A Bassman with tremolo?

Do tell!


Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


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Post subject: Re: 12AX7/7025 Tubes
Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2014 12:41 am
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Yeah... Too many too many's.... :lol: :lol: :lol:

GL B759/ECC83 is sitting in V3. Next to PI tube.

The GL tube is brighter and more potent than the new TSRI 12AX7. I bought a sleeve and each tube tests way off the scale.

Still waiting for that cab. Gonna give the dude a buzz Sunday.


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Post subject: Re: 12AX7/7025 Tubes
Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2014 7:21 am
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BMW2002Ti wrote:
Glad you liked the Gold Lion's. This is one tube that clearly stands out from all other new Russian made 12AX7 types. I have some in my Bassman (tremolo section) and in my Tremolux. So far, so good.

Be interested in your opinion of those Chinese tubes. PSVANE are supposed to be THE 12AX7. But, they make the GL's look cheap.



http://psvanetube.com/wordpress/categor ... /feedback/

http://psvanetube.com/wordpress/store/p ... or-single/


Reviews are very positive... any experience with them? And how would they perform in Fender amps? I might order some, $50 a piece ain't too bad when you compare that to "NOS" prices, which is never a guarantee you're getting a great tube.


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Post subject: Re: 12AX7/7025 Tubes
Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2014 8:27 am
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cedarblues wrote:
$50 a piece ain't too bad when you compare that to "NOS" prices, which is never a guarantee you're getting a great tube.


+1

And there is a finite supply of NOS glass......sooner or later it will be exhausted, leaving only contemporary bottles to keep tube amps from becoming permanently dry-docked. It may not happen in our lifetimes, but it will happen eventually.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: 12AX7/7025 Tubes
Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2014 8:59 am
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And that's exactly why I'm trying to find the best (for me) new production tubes, it's just too much of a hassle to find good NOS tubes! Those of you who are fortunate enough to have some hold on to them!

Here's what the GL looks like next to the Mullard RI, pretty much the same tube... but the GL is definitely the winner here.

Image

Image

And the amps being used in my tests, just to keep the amp porn junkies happy :mrgreen:

Image


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Post subject: Re: 12AX7/7025 Tubes
Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2014 10:43 am
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I may have to order up a few of those Gold Lions and see how they do in a Vibroverb or Showman.

Looks like a well-built reproduction.

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


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Post subject: Re: 12AX7/7025 Tubes
Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2014 11:51 am
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As signal tubes (12AX7, 12AT7, etc) go... the Gold Lion's & the PSVANE are the best of the modern tubes. Chinese tubes, in general, have a slightly "sweeter" top end tone than the Russian ones. Not to be mistaken as midrange "syrupy sweet" --- often a metaphor for slightly muddy, lacking crispness. Both GL and PSVANE are clean. With the GL more of a Euro clean (like good German Valvo or TFK vintage). And the PSVANE more of a good NOS Philips/Amperex/Mullard tone. For a lack of better adjectives.

One other thing. Good NOS mil spec tubes need break-in. They may sound a bit compressed or lack dynamics for the first 24 of use. Some ppl break-in 12AX7 or 12AT7 tubes by running them in an old radio, overnight. Not many of us have a nice table-top tube radio, but anything that doesn't draw a lot of current and make a lot of heat is nice.

Some ppl actually use their tube tester to break-in tubes. I don't do this, as the darn TT is more $$$ to fix and align than any guitar amp.


http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue51/shuguang.htm


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Post subject: Re: 12AX7/7025 Tubes
Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2014 12:16 pm
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BMW2002Ti wrote:
Some ppl actually use their tube tester to break-in tubes. I don't do this, as the darn TT is more $$$ to fix and align than any guitar amp.


My AN/TV-7/U hasn't been calibrated since '93.

:lol:

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


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Post subject: Re: 12AX7/7025 Tubes
Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2014 7:35 am
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Retroverbial wrote:
I may have to order up a few of those Gold Lions and see how they do in a Vibroverb or Showman.

Looks like a well-built reproduction.

Arjay


You should... can't find anything wrong with them, great tubes IMO! I bought a "platinum" pair on ebay from the Tube Maze Store for $75.


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Post subject: Re: 12AX7/7025 Tubes
Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2014 7:47 am
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BMW2002Ti wrote:
As signal tubes (12AX7, 12AT7, etc) go... the Gold Lion's & the PSVANE are the best of the modern tubes. Chinese tubes, in general, have a slightly "sweeter" top end tone than the Russian ones. Not to be mistaken as midrange "syrupy sweet" --- often a metaphor for slightly muddy, lacking crispness. Both GL and PSVANE are clean. With the GL more of a Euro clean (like good German Valvo or TFK vintage). And the PSVANE more of a good NOS Philips/Amperex/Mullard tone. For a lack of better adjectives.

One other thing. Good NOS mil spec tubes need break-in. They may sound a bit compressed or lack dynamics for the first 24 of use. Some ppl break-in 12AX7 or 12AT7 tubes by running them in an old radio, overnight. Not many of us have a nice table-top tube radio, but anything that doesn't draw a lot of current and make a lot of heat is nice.

Some ppl actually use their tube tester to break-in tubes. I don't do this, as the darn TT is more $$$ to fix and align than any guitar amp.


http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue51/shuguang.htm


I went back and compared the GL to that Chinese Ruby I had, with the silver plates. The Ruby was cleaner and maybe a little brighter, but the GL was more pleasing to my ear, it has this rich top end that I really like hearing in my amps. It'll be interesting to compare the GL to the more expensive Psvane...

I've never taken the time to break-in tubes... I guess I can put some in V5 (tremolo) and give 'em some time before I try them in V2 or V4. I don't have any tube radio or tube tester.


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Post subject: Re: 12AX7/7025 Tubes
Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2014 7:38 pm
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This is probably a silly question, but is it safe to swap preamp tubes while the amp is on or on standby? I always turn it completely off before I remove any tube. This could be very helpful when tube rolling :)

I've got some more preamp tubes on the way, including the Psvane, hopefully I can try some this weekend...


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Post subject: Re: 12AX7/7025 Tubes
Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2014 10:20 pm
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I always power an amp completely down before removing and re-installing tubes.

Arjay

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