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Thread: Premium 12ax7 recommendations?

  1. #1
    Join Date: Jun 2012

    Location: Forster, NSW, Australia

    Posts: 278
    I'm Hal.

    Default Premium 12ax7 recommendations?

    After chasing ghosts in my hifi system I think I finally have the culprit of a random scratchy sort of noise tracked down to the 12ax7 driver tubes in my preamp. The tubes are Psvanes, pretty expensive, and im not certain i want to go with them again. Not because I don't like them, I do, but for the cost I expected a longer lifespan. (Hell, I have Amperex Bugle Boys in my DAC and their perfect and decades old.
    I switched out the Psvanes and replaced them with Sovtek 12ax7 LPS that i had on hand and these ran the Vanes damn close, so close it was almost a case of why not leave them there and not spend anymore. It's only that the Sovteks aren't that brilliant with strings and, especially, piano, that I feel the need to change them. Obviously, and touch wood, the errant noises have disappeared since this change.
    After recommendations of an alternate to the Psvanes, that are just as good, alrhough maybe a little more organic , without losing their tremendous detail and clarity. I don't want to go looney tunes pricing and would prefer to keep under 100 dollars Australian for the pair, current manufacture is preferred. Gold Lion is a candidate, any others I should consider?
    As an aside, I've been loving my Lite Dac60, with the Bugle Boys, and a Kimber PJB interconnect. Insanely clear, able to track every nuance and stunningly musical, and with imaging that pinpoints every instrument as though it's in the room with you. Rediscovering my Mannheim Steamroller collection with this, and it's being a breathtaking experience.
    Without music, powerboat racing, photography and a whole stack of other stuff that floats my boat, life is just a non stop procession of deadlines and bills.

  2. #2
    Join Date: Oct 2011

    Location: London Town

    Posts: 2,441
    I'm Julian.

    Default

    It's certainly worth looking at the TAD 12AX7's -

    https://www.tubeampdoctor.com/catalo...t_search=12ax7

    I have been using their 6SN7's for a while now and am immensely impressed by them.

    It was quite a long time ago but I remember the TJ Fullmusic tubes being pretty good - very clean, neutral sounding ...

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Matched...-/321004628286
    Sonore Rendu - Cambridge Audio Edge W - Sonus Faber Venere 2.5

  3. #3
    Join Date: Jun 2012

    Location: Forster, NSW, Australia

    Posts: 278
    I'm Hal.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by julesd68 View Post
    It's certainly worth looking at the TAD 12AX7's -

    https://www.tubeampdoctor.com/catalo...t_search=12ax7

    I have been using their 6SN7's for a while now and am immensely impressed by them.

    It was quite a long time ago but I remember the TJ Fullmusic tubes being pretty good - very clean, neutral sounding ...

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Matched...-/321004628286
    Thanks, I seem to recall the TJs being recommended by Grant Fidelity (Canada I think?) For my preamp. Will look into them also.
    Without music, powerboat racing, photography and a whole stack of other stuff that floats my boat, life is just a non stop procession of deadlines and bills.

  4. #4
    Join Date: Oct 2017

    Location: Coventry

    Posts: 130
    I'm Mick.

    Default

    Hi Have you considered cleaning the valve pins and socket contacts?
    Might just be a poor connection.

    These are good.. Factory matched !! http://tubeaudio.com.au/genalex-12ax7/

  5. #5
    Join Date: Jun 2015

    Location: London/Durham

    Posts: 6,869
    I'm Lawrence.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by julesd68 View Post
    It's certainly worth looking at the TAD 12AX7's -

    https://www.tubeampdoctor.com/catalo...t_search=12ax7

    I have been using their 6SN7's for a while now and am immensely impressed by them.

    It was quite a long time ago but I remember the TJ Fullmusic tubes being pretty good - very clean, neutral sounding ...

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Matched...-/321004628286
    Are they made by Shuguang? They look similar and I think I read their 6SN7s are.

    Sent from my BLN-L21 using Tapatalk

  6. #6
    Join Date: Oct 2011

    Location: London Town

    Posts: 2,441
    I'm Julian.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Lawrence001 View Post
    Are they made by Shuguang? They look similar and I think I read their 6SN7s are.

    Sent from my BLN-L21 using Tapatalk
    I'm not sure but I have read that too.
    I much preferred their 6SN7's to the vintage tubes I tried and would buy again.
    Sonore Rendu - Cambridge Audio Edge W - Sonus Faber Venere 2.5

  7. #7
    Join Date: Oct 2011

    Location: Glasgow/Italy

    Posts: 866
    I'm Drew.

    Default

    While there are undoubtedly some reasonable new issue 12ax7 valves out there are none I'd call premium- I've heard many. That said, nowadays there are obviously a lot of vintage tubes that test below par, are excessively microphonic, gassy etc that seem to get passed around ebay and the like, diminishing further with time. However a vintage tube that meets its original parameters can offer magnificent service and performance.

  8. #8
    Join Date: Jun 2015

    Location: London/Durham

    Posts: 6,869
    I'm Lawrence.

    Default

    A few people here like the JJ ECC803S I think it's called.

    Sent from my BLN-L21 using Tapatalk

  9. #9
    Join Date: Sep 2010

    Location: Vienna

    Posts: 178
    I'm Michael.


  10. #10
    Join Date: Jun 2012

    Location: Forster, NSW, Australia

    Posts: 278
    I'm Hal.

    Default

    Have never heard of that one, interesting but i expect expensive.
    Without music, powerboat racing, photography and a whole stack of other stuff that floats my boat, life is just a non stop procession of deadlines and bills.

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