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  3. 1061937917

Tube ---- Ei 12ax7

Does anyone have experience with these tubes?

I have a Jolida JD-100 and experimenting with tubes. I think I want to try these tubes next, but before I plunk down my cash for these bottles I thought I might ask for experiences or opinions.

So far I have tried.....

EH 12ax7
Vintage RCA 5751 triple mica black plates
JAN GE 5751 grey plates

Its somewhat of a tossup right now between the RCA 5751s and the EH 12ax7s.

The RCAs give great bass (for a tube) and smooth dynamic sound with good seperation.

The EH 12ax7s give awesome mids/vocals with a soundstage that goes to the neighbors house, but they are a little bass light.

Any and all inputs are kindly appreciated.
distortion

Showing 3 responses by distortion

distortion OP
571 posts
 
Thanks Newbee =)

I should have gone on to mention that the particular Ei's are actually ECC83 Low Noise, I believe there is some differentiation from the regular Ei's. (tube designation 12ax7ln)

I have heard that Ei has had some problems with QC as well as microphonics.
distortion OP
571 posts
 
Thanks all.

I read some more on these tubes, they claim to be exact Telefunken replicas. It seems the consensus that Ei's have a quality sound but, suffer from erratic microphonics and out-of-the-box failure, but if you get a good one they seem to last.

I went ahead and ordered a tested pair for $29.90 + 14.00 for overnight, why not. I will give my impressions if you want?

Thanks again for the input.
distortion OP
571 posts
 
Ei 12ax7ln's sound pretty good. I havent put that many hours of listening in yet, but so far I am impressed. They may be a little dry sounding. However, listening to more material is in order before a final opinion. I am impressed with the seperation. Details seem to abound without any harshness or over exaggeration of the highs. A relatively wide and deep soundstage is present as well.

These particular tubes are the Low Noise model. I can say without reservation that there is almost no "hiss" or any other audible tube noise.

More later.
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