New 12AX7s from Audio Research

The new 12ax7 tubes from ARC are in and sounding good.

ARCs new 12ax7 tubes are "West German".

Does that infer Telefunken or could they be from some other W. German maker?

ARCs website says they avoid NOS for various reasons.

The rep I dealt with (Calvin) indicated a new West German supplier, that's all. I did not question further in that they know a lot more about tubes than I do.

They were actually out of 12AX7s when I first called and in process of onboarding tubes from the new supplier. My tubes shipped about two weeks later.

5 tubes cost $40 and one $55, which I did not expect. The $55 tube apparently measured better in some way. I did not receive install instructions , but found a placement combo with the more expensive tube in the phono stage that resulted in low noise levels similar to what I recall when the unit was new.

ARC warrants their tubes for 90 days under the basis that most issues with new tubes will make themselves known sooner rather than later.

I am satisfied, but $250+ to retube a pre-amp ain't pocket change. THe thing does sound really good though!

Barruch,

WIthout the manual in front of me, v4 is the right rear slot (phono tubes on right, LS on left), correct?

That is where I put my primo tube to get good results but this was a guess/trial and error process for me since no directions regarding the primo tube was provided.

I gotta say, the new tubes do sound fantastic! They were expensive but so far seemingly worth it, I suppose.

Very open, dynamic, lively and vibrant on both the Dynaudios and OHMS with both digital and phono. Who ha! Good stuff!

Like a bright shiny new red Porsche glistening in the sun, or something like that!

Have not listened to the Triangles yet, but expecting good things there as well.

I'm wondering does anyone know the measured specs of what ARC considers a low noise tube suitable for use in the phono section (only 1 needed for the sp16 apparently)?

How about the other 5?

I am thinking it would be good to know these tube specs as a means of being able to shop multiple sources for similar performing tubes.