Hagerman Trumpet MC (12AX7 Tube Suggestions)

Wonderful comments everyone and Much Appreciated.

I should note that I only buy from Trusted Sellers that can Identify and actually Test and Match Pairs for me. Been there and done that on Ebay and it was not a great experience.

@lewm Ironically, I am using a Quad of Sovtek 12AX7LPS that were purchased from a Trusted Seller eons ago as Spares for other Gear. I am running the Trumpet now with Tungsram 12AU7’s and the Sovteks. I am quite pleased with the sound but I would like to try some other variations.

@photodusty I loved your Post and Thank You for taking the time to write. On the Supplied Mullards I have to say that I was confused since they were not banded as Matched Pairs and the Four Tubes were just placed in a Bag in the Shipping Box. I actually left them in the Shipping Box knowing that I will be trying the Sovtek’s noted above first. With what you are saying I should have used the new Mullards first before the Sovtek’s.

Your comments on the Amperex were enlightening since I have a Quad of Holland Amperex’s coming. I am fond of them due to my previous experience with them in other Gear.

Thanks for your comment on the RCA 5751 also. I have also reached out to Jim Hagerman recently regarding using a 5751 but have not heard back yet. With your comment quite possibly I am wasting my time exploring this.

@bkeske I reviewed your previous Posts extensively on the Hagerman before purchase. Thank You! Telefunken Smooth Plates are so expensive now from the Trusted Sellers to avoid Counterfeits so the Holland Amperex might be the end of the line for me since they were not cheap. I would like to try a USA variant also and I do not mind keeping some Spares in a Box. I am going to paw around the entrance of the Rabbit Hole but I will not be performing a Complete Dive into the Rabbit Hole regarding the Tubes.

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@mulveling I also reviewed your previous Posts on the Trumpet extensively before purchase. I was especially struck that you compared it with the Herron VTPH-2A which I also own so I wish to Thank You also.

You made me look at the modern Tung-Sols and this warning was on the Viva Tubes Site; " These tubes are great for linestage preamps, but generally not phono stages where a very low noise floor is required ".

It looks like with your comments and bkeske's comments that I have to search and pony up for the Telefunkens.

From Jim Hagerman the Designer;

Yes you can use a 5751, but the tonality (EQ) will change.  Probably a bit darker.

I will be sticking with the 12AX7.
 

@mulveling Fascinating story on your 5751 Trial.

@bkeske I have listened to both of you since I found a Seller of some Telefunken 12AX7’s with a Great Track Record on USAudioMart and Ebay. Fully Tested and Guaranteed to function to my satisfaction in the Trumpet MC. Cheaper than the main Tube Sellers also.

They will be the Rebranded Tele’s as bkeske has suggested.

Thanks for the assistance on this.