2. amps-preamps
  3. 195077-47456

I changed a Tube and…

I liked it!
 Have a Rogue Audio Cronos mag lll bought it years ago as original Cronos Mag  sent it in last year for the upgrade to lll .  Never changed any of the original tubes .

The amp was lightly used due to my changing amps like regularly. Decided to stick with Cronos and and have really enjoyed it . 
Playing vinyl for the majority of time and seem satisfied with Triode mode .  Amp runs perfectly no noise at all but thought about all the threads regarding tube rolling  especially the center 12au7 . 
pulled out the stock JJ and found a Genalex  Gold Lion ECC82/B749 (12au7)  bought them 7-8 years ago .  
Put the GL into center position and was thinking “am I going to really hear a difference “???   Figured I listen to a few LPs and maybe I’d notice something different good or bad Maybe ? after all it’s just one tiny tube !

Well I was blown away !, 30 seconds in listening to “two of a mind “ Desmond /Muliligan  things just got a whole lot more musical 🎶. Hard to describe everything seemed improved , midrange was wow ! Soundstage was better , etc .

Went to another familiar favorite Grant Green “ Idle Moments “   Oh yes the magic is here too 

Is this even possible or am I under a placebo delusion  lol 

Now I’m really wondering what about the other 2  12au7’s  and even the 2 -12ax7’s

what else am I missing ? 

 

 

 

mfm22
mfm22 OP
39 posts
 

I’ll be trying other tubes for sure. 
always looking for larger soundstage , and warm midrange

these Gold Lions are a big step up from the JJs but I can hear that they are a little brighter 

mfm22 OP
39 posts
 

“What do you mean by that - too inexpensive?

The new production tubes you are using currently retail for $60+ per tube.

The tubes I mentioned are cheap as chips and they may further rock your world of tube rolling.”

I’ll revisit the site , last time I looked prices seemed higher but then all nos tubes are getting $

I’ll look for ones you mentioned ….thanks for advice

triton20trx
36 posts
 

NOS ( new old stock vintage tubes) are expensive relative to new production but in my experience the sound quality is far superior.  Brent happens to be the most reasonable priced NOS tubes.  He has a vast knowledge of what tubes work best in specific amp/preamp applications and you can return them within 30 days if they don’t work for you.  You can call him directly.
My experience has been a few hundred $ in NOS preamp tubes has saved me spending thousands more on a new amp or integrated to get improvements in overall sonics, soundstage, depth, and clarity.  
But that’s my experience which doesn’t mean …. in the big picture.

Mine are available 

macg19
1,031 posts
 

Not trying to rain on your parade, but if you think Russian made GL reissues are good, dive into NOS. Brent Jesse should be your guy. It doesn’t have to be more expensive. Look at Baldwin 12AU7 too to get some lower cost ideas.

He lists every tube he has in detail on his website. Spend some time there, then email him rather than call.

The implementation matters though, so experimentation is required. For example, I have a DAC and a phone stage that both use a pair of 12AX7. $300 Tele’s sound better in the PS than $450 Mullard’s, and vice versa.   

 

 

invalid
1,298 posts
 

Brent Jesse is the second best tube seller I know of, Andy at vintage tube services being number one.

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