12ax7's to roll


Happy Holidays A'goners. I have a Rogue Cronus Magnum that I bought from Agon. I love it and I'm curious about tube rolling. A very reputable tube source that most tube fans in the U.S. would be familiar with, recommended replacing my 12ax7's with Telefunken 12ax7's. They're really expensive as far as I'm concerned. I'm not wealthy and have kids in college. I could certainly swing it but is there other alternatives that cost less than $230 for a matched pair that will give me a good tube rolling experience? I currently have Sylvanias and I love the sound. I'm just curious as I've never tube rolled in my life.
donjr

Showing 2 responses by blindjim


Though I've not extensive first hand exp with Tele v other 12AX7's, I'd say the RCA & Tele's are very close in character to one another. One main USA tube vendor personally told me their diffs were very slight, meaning to me unless one has a very resolvling rig, they likely won't notice the diffs.

I've been reasonably well pleased using RCA tubes in several preamp or amp selections. In comnbination with Tungsols, Matsushita, & Amperex Bugle boys.

I've also found that several makes of tubes have a particular voice of their own generally speaking. Amperex's are bold and up front tubes, with all the audiophile needs being addressed. RCA as was posted are more subdued or reserved in terms of detail leaning towards the warmer side of the border. Tungsols resemble the Amperex's like Rotel emulates the Krell... but for less 4$$. tele's have great mids and top ends but their bass is not their strengths.

tastes, combinations of these, the gear too, can and will provide your audio system with many hours of interesting outcomes as you plug in and out various sorts.

you can also try buying some used ones and see for yourself what's up with who, for a bit less dough than buying reputedly new old stockers.

The tube vendor's rep and/or the seller's rep, is more important than the tube in question. you certainly don't want to buy tubes with issues or nearing the end of their cycle... or noisey & microfonic.

Good luck.

As other's have posted here, and I'm appreciative of their comments, each tube make and vintage will usually supply a different flavor.

As for hours? outside of the Amperex & tungsol tubes rolling in new ones every other year of usage is a very nice thing. Not necessarily a needed thing, just a nice thing. Fresh tubes from a great vendor whose abilities to test thoroughly each tube sold is imperitive. i'm not keen on Audio tubes, formerly Brent Jessie tubes... BTW, Why the name change?

FYI ... His return policy bares greater investigation.

Andy Bowman of VINTAGE TUBES isn't the cheapest place to buy tubes, but I've never had to return any to him either. that's very important. Very. I'm sure too, if one did fail outright soon after receipt Andy would take care of it. Great guy, and excellent products.