I have a tube preamp that is a prefab kit-type manufactured in China somewhere. It runs on one 6Z5P as a rectifier then to three 12AX7B's, all Chinese tubes. I would love to install 12AX7A's to replace them with an American made matched trio. Does anyone have experience with this open faced (no enclosure) pre-amp? It has four Inputs, one Left & one Right Outputs on the back, & a Volume knob & a Source Selector knob on the front on a wooden edged and stainless steel box.
Who makes good 12AX7A's??? American companies?
Let me know...
Who makes good 12AX7A's??? American companies?
Let me know...
Don't think there are any, unless you mean importers that just label tubes with their own name.
Ruby Preamp & Rectifier Tubes
Ruby Preamp & Rectifier Tubes
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I'm assuming you mean new old stock USA made tubes, since no US manufacturing of tubes has happened in years...
Check out tube depot... Otherwise, if you want made today tubes, you get Russian, Chinese or Slovakian as far as I know.
Check out tube depot... Otherwise, if you want made today tubes, you get Russian, Chinese or Slovakian as far as I know.
The Chinese 6Z5P seems to be an "equivalent" of the U.S. 6X5. FWIW, the 6X5's reputation is far from sterling.
If the rectifier socket is chassis mounted, I suggest Octal out, Loctal in, and the use of an OS 7Y4. The 9 pin mini (Noval) 6X4 is also electrically suitable.
If the rectifier socket is chassis mounted, I suggest Octal out, Loctal in, and the use of an OS 7Y4. The 9 pin mini (Noval) 6X4 is also electrically suitable.
I think Philips rolled up a bunch of American tube firms. The Chinese equavelents are much better. And the shuguang recifier you mentioned is pure fire.
The tung sol reissues are nice.
If you would like a tube that suits the rectifier, a 12az7 is good.
6x5 are nice but many are single leaf or x mounted dual leaf opposed to staggered flag pole mount. National electronics 6x5 is a cheap way of getting a rugged 6x5 slightly offset and tilted or a wait for it "dual" Bendix 6x5 equavelent which are pure garbage head tubes.
The last paragraph of Eli's post is a interesting concept.
The tung sol reissues are nice.
If you would like a tube that suits the rectifier, a 12az7 is good.
6x5 are nice but many are single leaf or x mounted dual leaf opposed to staggered flag pole mount. National electronics 6x5 is a cheap way of getting a rugged 6x5 slightly offset and tilted or a wait for it "dual" Bendix 6x5 equavelent which are pure garbage head tubes.
The last paragraph of Eli's post is a interesting concept.
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Check out Eurotubes.com
They import JJ tubes from Slovakia.
Eurotubes does extensive re-testing, including for noise, u, rp, micro-phonics, etc.
I have not had a bad JJ tube from Eurotubes.com.
I purchase preamp tubes and power tubes from them.
And since they are located in the US, shipping to you is easy.
They import JJ tubes from Slovakia.
Eurotubes does extensive re-testing, including for noise, u, rp, micro-phonics, etc.
I have not had a bad JJ tube from Eurotubes.com.
I purchase preamp tubes and power tubes from them.
And since they are located in the US, shipping to you is easy.
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+1
in addition JJ has started production of framegrid 12AX7, the same tube
that Telefunken & TESLA did. It sells under the name E83CC
6Z5P+(3)12AX7B tube Preamp...American made tubes
In regard to the American Tube companies, I found on eBay some General Electric 12AX7A's NOS that might sound great. I was also looking at a newer model of similar tube; the Psvane 12AX7-T. I think they are lower gain like a 12AX7B (the ones I will be replacing), & are in the same price range for a matched trio, though they aren't U.S.A manufactured... they might sound great. Hoping either will do.
I tried replacing the 6Z5P tube earlier this year with an RCA 6X5GT rectifier tube. It didn't take long to notice a slight volume decrease and the volume knob started to act more like a gain adjustment, where an over-tubey-like sound came from the over half-way setting in the knob.
In regard to the American Tube companies, I found on eBay some General Electric 12AX7A's NOS that might sound great. I was also looking at a newer model of similar tube; the Psvane 12AX7-T. I think they are lower gain like a 12AX7B (the ones I will be replacing), & are in the same price range for a matched trio, though they aren't U.S.A manufactured... they might sound great. Hoping either will do.
I tried replacing the 6Z5P tube earlier this year with an RCA 6X5GT rectifier tube. It didn't take long to notice a slight volume decrease and the volume knob started to act more like a gain adjustment, where an over-tubey-like sound came from the over half-way setting in the knob.