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Here's some interesting info. Just keep in mind this is a guitar amp site.http://www.tubesandmore.com/tech_corner/12ax7_comparison_of_current_made_tubes
Buddy, I tried the new GL 12AX7 vs. the new TungSol vs. the new Mullard vs the Sovtek LPS...of the bunch I liked the TS the best. The Mullard sounded 'fuzzy' compared to the TS, the GL sounded 'heavy' in the lower freq. which resulted in a 'thumpy' sound. The LPS is on the lean side. The TS had the best balance across the freqs. with a great 3D soundstage. All the tubes were cryoed except the Mullard. Results obtained in my CAT pre line stage.I found the results matched those in the pre line stage when tried in my Jolida amp.In the phono stage I use the LPS, but since I rarely play vinyl, did not experiment with all the tubes in that position. I can always bring them over for you to try in your AN.
My experience is that none of the current production 12AX7's sound as good as the better NOS 12AX7's. They also seem to not last all that long before they start sounding off.
Buddy,..I have not tried all of the NOS types or the legendary "unobtainable" 12AX7s. I have certainly had my share of crappy new production 12AX7s though. I am really hoping these tubes don't crap out on me early like all of those cryo'd tubes I bought. I have only been using mine for about a month, so time will tell. If they make it a few more months I am going to order a back up set.
The next shootout should be the GL 12AX7 you liked against the new JJ ECC803s which I've heard good things about
Keep in mind that the gain of a given tube will have a significant musical effect in a typical audio circuit with gain and having overall loop feedback.In such a circuit the overall closed loop gain of the circuit is set by the feedback loop. To simplify, the amount of feedback will be the difference between the open loop gain of the tube used and the closed loop gain of the circuit.Thus, in this typical circuit, the amount of feedback will be essentially set by the open loop gain of the tube selected. A high gain tube will provide higher feedback, a low gain tube less feedback.In general, low feedback tends to produce a more mellow, less aggressive sound, if done well, a very pleasant overall presentation. However lower feedback means higher harmonic distortion, and poorer control of the wanted audio signal. Not enough feedback results in mud, boomy bass, and poor transparency.At the other extreme, a very high gain tube used in a typical line circuit will provide higher feedback. This results in more clarity and transparency, but too much feedback can produce a very grainy, hot, bright, and fatiguing musical presentation, likely from transient intermodulation distortion as the excess feedback overloads the loop.In general, you need to know a bit about the circuit design in trying to select appropriate tube for it. What is a great high gain tube in one circuit may overload a different one. A nice musical low gain tube in one circuit, may sound like mud in a different application.There is more than magic involved with tube selection (although some of it still seems to have some magic aspects).To sum up, the great sounding tube in one circuit can easily be a terrible sounding one in a different one and some of these issues can be reduced if you know what tube gain your circuit would actually like to see.Regards,Frank Van Alstine
Can't really disagree on Buddy's take. The new GL had the best balance for Buddy's system preference. I am now trying the GL's in my midrange tube amp( 250Hz and up), and am liking the sound. I normally use Amperex which still remains the best for my taste in this position.Buddy wanted to hear how the new reissues tubes sound like and that is what was done. It was not a New vs. NOS shootout. Yeah, I am curious about the JJ and will likely on my next order pick up a pair to compare.
Buddy,I completely agree with you on the Gold Lion. It is the best new production tube that I have ever used. The cryo tubes are terrible IMO. I use the Gold Lions in my phono stage, and not only do they sound fantastic, they are dead quiet too. FWIW, they are not too warm in an all tube system. They are just right.Before I tried these Gold Lions I would have agreed with you, although I have not tried all of the NOS types or the legendary "unobtainable" 12AX7s. I have certainly had my share of crappy new production 12AX7s though. I am really hoping these tubes don't crap out on me early like all of those cryo'd tubes I bought. I have only been using mine for about a month, so time will tell. If they make it a few more months I am going to order a back up set.
The next shootout should be the GL 12AX7 you liked against the new JJ ECC803s which I've heard good things about (non gold-pin version is $15):http://www.tubedepot.com/jj-ecc803g.html...and the Pavane 12AX7:http://psvanetube.com/wordpress/store/products/12ax7-t-pair/This shootout would be very interesting.
As for the reliability this is something I want to find out too. I know that new production tube have a bad rap, but I feel that the last couple of years things might have improved a bit. Still please keep us posted on your Gold Lion on this.
Hey Buddy,If we can find a pair of the JJ ECC803s I would be happy to send you my pair of Pavane's to complete the lineup. Just don't keep 'em too long! Any other tube brands we should include for Round 2? The only other new production 12AX7s have already been tried in Round 1.P.S. I have no expectation that the Pavanes will win. I know those GL tubes are wicked good! I am merely curious about all good new production tubes.
Thank you for the tube comparison. I just noticed that in Buddy's picture of the tubes, the Mullard reissue, GL reissue and the Sovtek seem to look identical inside. I wonder if they may not even come from the same Russian factory. What do people think accounts for the differences in their sound?
1st place: Genalex Gold Lion. Why it got to be the most expensive of the group! Damn! Yes, I like these best. Fuller sound but with all the detail. With great depth, 3D like to the sound. I can almost see the lips of the singer. Good drive, tight bass and sweet but natural high. Overall it is just more life to the sound. These might not be a good a good match in an already very tubey and dark sounding system, like old vintage tube amps and etc. There you go guys. The Genalex Gold Lion sound best in "my" system. Sadly it just happen to be the most expensive one.
This tube is currently 1/2 price here:http://tubebuilders.com/Good deals on other tubes as well!
