It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 2:55 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 19 posts ]  Go to page Previous  1, 2
Go to page Previous  1, 2
Author Message
Post subject: Re: Tube testing question
Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2017 4:00 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Fri Jun 20, 2014 2:07 pm
Posts: 303
shimmilou wrote:
Gold pins on tubes are commonly misunderstood. It isn't that they took a regular tube and gold plated the pins, and claimed some sonic improvement, but the pins were gold plated to denote a special tube.

The gold pins do nothing for sound, and that isn't the claim. So yes, if you see gold pins on a tube, likely it is a special tube beyond simply having gold pins. (I am surprised that many of you don't already know this :shock: )

Pay attention people! :D


I do know this? :)
Some may think I may not, but my background is in video and audio production, and AV technology in university environments.

Real gold plated connectors are for corrosion resistance issues.
Now, those "audiophiles", that's a way different world of folks who will swear that moving DVD player a few inches more away from the surround processor, "created a vastly new sound stage, that expanded by at least 30 feet in width and 50 feet in depth!" LOL!


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Tube testing question
Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2017 4:22 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
Rverb wrote:
Now, those "audiophiles", that's a way different world of folks who will swear that moving DVD player a few inches more away from the surround processor, "created a vastly new sound stage, that expanded by at least 30 feet in width and 50 feet in depth!" LOL!


......And who think nothing of spending four hundred and fifty bucks for "conditioned" AC power cables that are nothing more that 18-gauge zip cord wrapped in aluminized mylar foil.

:lol:

I've met dozens of those poindexters in my travels.

Arjay

_________________
"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


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Tube testing question
Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2017 11:08 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jun 29, 2010 1:20 pm
Posts: 9640
Location: Indiana
BMW2002Ti wrote:
...Gold pins do not add to sound or life length...The reissued Gold Lion 12AX7 tubes made in the Reflector plant, in Russia are very good tubes. They are made to tolerance which is better than the standard Sovtek 12AX7....


Exactly what I referred to in my previous post. These tubes have gold pins, different internally than the standard 12AX7 made in the same factory. I have both the Russian and Chinese Gold Lion tubes, and to me the Russian are superior sound-wise, richer, more "musical" if you will. The Chinese version might be better suited for high gain amps. :?:

_________________
---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Tube testing question
Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2017 1:52 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Fri Jun 20, 2014 2:07 pm
Posts: 303
I bought a pair of Gold Lion B759 gold pins.

Installed them in the 68 CVR. Immediate ring with Vol. level on 2 with V1 tube, custom channel.
V2, vintage channel, also rings but I can crank the amp pretty loudly and it won't ring.
Tapping the tube VERY lightly results in a distinct "ping" coming through the speakers, but nothing out of control.

V1 is a different story. Even on vol level 2 if I just tap the amp's exterior lightly it starts to ring, and of course if I turn the volume up it REALLY rings, nearly squealing.

I'm very unlucky lately with pre tubes. I understand that long plate tubes are more prone to ringing in combo amps, given their compact design. But, I'm not trying to play at volume level 6 or higher. I mainly play at home at around 2 sometimes 3. Occasional band fun with friends I need more volume, and I have a 4x12 cab where we play.

The tone is quite nice from these tubes, at least from the one good one. Now I hope the seller will send me a replacement.
A lot of people knock modern made tubes, but I've had much more success with low noise and no to little microphonics with modern tubes than with NOS. Yes, these Gold Lion tubes are modern not NOS, so it happens with modern tubes. I'm just stating my experience is that percentage wise I get a lot more microphonic and noisy NOS tubes, than with modern made tubes.

But, this could just be the modern "NOS" market where people probably know what they are selling isn't that great, but they want to sell it anyway cause it's "NOS".
How do you sell to musicians, knowing your "NOS" tubes will be used in amps, but you don't have a couple of amps to try out the tubes once you've tested it on a tester?
That should be a clue to not buy from that source.

I agree with some who say that a true "NOS" tube is a brand new, never used tube, and thus can be called "NEW old stock". Whereas a used old tube should not be called "NOS" but rather it's simply an old used tube that tests as new. Maybe the market needs to be clearer and those used tubes should be called "OSTAN - old stock test as new". :) I've seen the same types of tubes selling for around the same price, and some look really new with print that looks new and even in the original box. Those are rarer, obviously. But, most people sell tubes where the print is nearly wiped off, implying to me that it's been handled quite a bit, and those tubes come in plain white boxes, and they want the same price for those!

Live, spend, lose money, and learn. :)


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 19 posts ]  Go to page Previous  1, 2
Go to page Previous  1, 2

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: