best bass or close to that 12AX7 tube

Telefunken .........Read more here if you haven't already done so. http://audiotubes.com/ . I am not affiliated in any way.

Thanks Chuck

Hi,
Thank you for the response. Yes, did go there actually quite a lot for the last few days, spoke with Brent, he says Telefunken will sound a little flat as bass goes comparing to Mazda labels, which cost about twice as more. I won't mind the price per say if it goes there, my concern is that with my PV-12 with phono stage I won't be able to rip the benefits of the more expensive Mazda. My speakers (which I may have to upgrade) are Audes 037. The amp is CJ MVC60SE.
Regards
Anatoliy

My cj pre amps (premier 16/17) never responded much to NOS tubes although I never experimented a lot . Tried some Jan Philips and Sylvania's and the EH 6922 Gold Pins performed on par with them. And actually the JAN Philips were somewhat microphonic. But maybe your experience will be different.

Now my Cary SLI-80F1 responded to NOS tubes and differences where easy to discern. I am currently running 7308 Amperex with Sylvania 6sn7wgta's. I have tried Bugel Boy 6dj8's and National 7DJ8's and all have their pluses and minuses but all were better than new production.

As far as 12ax7's go. I have a Herron vtph2 phono stage that takes 4 of them and 1 12at7. I have Telefunken in all 5 positions actually I have an ecc801s (Tele) in the 12at7 position and it is much smoother/natural sounding along with more detail than the stock Ei's provided.

Chuck

Good Luck and have fun rolling tubes.

I have tube swapped now a fair amount (on an Ayon CD player and an Ayon integrated). From this and reading what others in their systems say when they swap out tubes like I have is that, generally, the effect of tube swapping is highly variable on the system... and the perceived sonic benefits and demerits of the swap are also very dependent upon the persons personal tastes. So... the only reliable way to swap tubes is trial and error in your system.

For what it is worth, there are some generalities in 12 AU7's that seem to be applicable in many systems --- RCA tubes are more punchy and have slightly better bass than Mullards but are brighter and have more sibilants. Mullards are warmer, smoother, less bright, less punchy with less well-controlled bass. That said, there is variability in RCA's when compared to other RCA's --- though Mullards seem to be very similar across varied stock of Mullards.

So... again -- you are stuck making a purchase and hoping for the best. I contend that none of us out here with different systems and different ears can help you much.