You're gonna have trouble that ain't a tube, that's a valve.

Tubes-valves, and who makes them have changed massively in 15 years. I'd ask AKG who they recommend. The plate and grid voltages of a vocal tube are going to make or break the mic. I garauntee that tube is done. For a vocal mic, a usual guitar preamp tube-valve might be a little harsh. If you can even find any speciality tube makers these days, the ones filled with argon gas were good for vocals. But hey, ask AKG, ask Groove Tube, Ask Sovtek, etc. You'll get a different answer from each. 

Bapu, that's a Chinese 12AX7. Don't waste your money on any of the current production tubes with gold pins and don't stray too far from a 12AX7 if you want to substitute something else, ie, don't go with a 12AT7. Even though people will tell you they are interchangeable, it's a bit misleading. The circuit in the mic is tuned for the 12AX7 bias needs, plate dissipation etc.

Mullard, Tung Sol, Gold Lion, Electro Harmonics and Sovtek are all the same company. The tubes are all different to some extent but they're all Russian. JJ is eastern Europe and then you have all the Chinese stuff.

If you want to try for different sound, go for a different plate structure. JJ ECC83 would be cheapest, followed by Sovtek 12AX7 LPS (large plate with spiral wound filament for low noise) and if you want something high end get a JAN GE 5751. JAN Phillips are also available but trust me, the GE is better for the same money.

If you want a real killer 12AX7 and have deep pockets, do a search for the Northern Electric 12AX7. It's made in China but was commissioned by some friends here in Canada. They spent a couple years working with the Chinese to get the tube on the market and get it right. They are great in mic's and guitar amps. I think they are about $60 but come with an extended warranty.

I could tell you more but eventually I'll violate the TOS. Should you decide that you want Amperex or Mullard pm me and I'll try and hook you up cheap. DON'T pay some dude $200 for a Mullard or Bugle Boy unless it's for bragging rights.

ampfixer


Bapu, that's a Chinese 12AX7. Don't waste your money on any of the current production tubes with gold pins and don't stray too far from a 12AX7 if you want to substitute something else, ie, don't go with a 12AT7. Even though people will tell you they are interchangeable, it's a bit misleading. The circuit in the mic is tuned for the 12AX7 bias needs, plate dissipation etc.

Mullard, Tung Sol, Gold Lion, Electro Harmonics and Sovtek are all the same company. The tubes are all different to some extent but they're all Russian. JJ is eastern Europe and then you have all the Chinese stuff.

If you want to try for different sound, go for a different plate structure. JJ ECC83 would be cheapest, followed by Sovtek 12AX7 LPS (large plate with spiral wound filament for low noise) and if you want something high end get a JAN GE 5751. JAN Phillips are also available but trust me, the GE is better for the same money.

If you want a real killer 12AX7 and have deep pockets, do a search for the Northern Electric 12AX7. It's made in China but was commissioned by some friends here in Canada. They spent a couple years working with the Chinese to get the tube on the market and get it right. They are great in mic's and guitar amps. I think they are about $60 but come with an extended warranty.

I could tell you more but eventually I'll violate the TOS. Should you decide that you want Amperex or Mullard pm me and I'll try and hook you up cheap. DON'T pay some dude $200 for a Mullard or Bugle Boy unless it's for bragging rights.

There's the skinny!

John, 
 Isn't the 5751 a lower gain tube that swaps out readily in most 12AX7 applications? Smoother sound but less gain?


 Do you have a line on English Mullards?


 best regards,
mike

mike_mccue


John, 
Isn't the 5751 a lower gain tube that swaps out readily in most 12AX7 applications? Smoother sound but less gain?


Do you have a line on English Mullards?


best regards,
mike

Are the Mullards even still Mullards? Or have they been licensed off to a Chinese factory somewhere? It would be interesting to know why tube-valve makers in the European countries did not survive, and why the magic has somehow deminished. 

Notice the word "English"? :-)

The new official Mullards are to the best of my knowledge from the Russian Sovtek factory.

I was asking John if he had any of the Blackburn Mullards, or perhaps some from a plant in Canada using Mullard tooling.


best regards,
mike

You need to bow before the Tube shrine first Bapu.  (Apologies in advance for the DD tubes in the corner.)

I don't want to jump right off the edge with tube tech, but I haven't heard the russian ones. Where were the Blackburn ones from? Tubes pick up electrons, the earth is full of electrons, people release electrons, imprint electrons, channel electrons. Precious metals are sometimes industrial and the soul is a composite experience of all electronics.

craigb


You need to bow before the Tube shrine first Bapu.  (Apologies in advance for the DD tubes in the corner.)

Look at those Rubys.