Ampeg V4 preamp tube rolling

karter2000 · #1 03-28-2010, 09:53 PM

Hi all,

Has anyone tried different brands of 12AX7's in their V4's? I have a EHX 12AX7 and a 12AU7, but I'm curious to what a Tung-Sol or others would sound like.

whoatherechunk · #2 03-29-2010, 01:34 AM

i'm stuck in the same boat but from what i've head tung-sols and jj's work great.....along with (obviously) many nos tubes.

lookiel · #3 03-29-2010, 05:42 AM

I have one of the newer V4BH's and popped a Telefunken in the V1 position.
Sounds better overall, smoother, clearer, gets more clean headroom and the overdrive is much sweeter.
I've only tried this tube and the original sovtek.

jastacey · #4 03-29-2010, 07:21 AM

I'm running an old GE 5751 in the V1 position ... make for a little cleaner sound

username1 · #5 03-29-2010, 05:30 PM

I have a new tungsol in one channel of my v4b and an old ge5751 in the other. I prefer the channel with the tungsol. The tungsol will sound similar to the eh12ax7 but with a fatter bottom. The eh has a tighter bottom but not as fat as the tungsol. Both work well and it is a matter of personal taste. I was impressed with the tungsol but found they dont work in the driver section of an svp pro preamp. They have a lot of hum in that position but work well in the first stages. I wouldnt use them in driver stages whereas the eh worked well in that position. Just my experiences from trying them.

Red Planet · #6 03-29-2010, 05:47 PM

The EH and Tung Sol 12ax7 are the same tube with the exception of a different getter. They do sound a little different. We all have differing descriptions of what we hear. To me the Tung Sol is brighter than the EH and for most applications I like the sound of the EH better. Unfortunately nneither of these tubes last very long if they are being pushed any.

johnk_10 · #7 03-29-2010, 06:33 PM

IMO, a JJ EC83S or EC803S are both great tubes that are inexpensive, and easily obtainable. NOS Telefunkens, Amperex and RCA's are my favorites of the expensive variety. i never did care for GE's 12AX7/7025's though.

karter2000 · #8 03-30-2010, 12:08 AM

Thanks everyone for your responses!

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnk_10

IMO, a JJ EC83S or EC803S are both great tubes that are inexpensive, and easily obtainable.

Is there a big difference between the JJ EC83S and EC803S? I notice that tubedepot has a "high performance" JJ EC803S that is more money than the EC83S.

johnk_10 · #9 03-30-2010, 12:19 AM

i think they are both great tubes. IME, the EC803S has a little more gain and a little more highs, yet also have a little more punch in the mids and bass, so overall, its a bit fuller/punchier. if you already have enough gain, i'd go with the 83S, if you want a little more, try the 803S.

karter2000 · #10 03-30-2010, 10:57 AM

I've heard lots that the Tung-Sol and EHX are basically the same tube. If I have a EHX already, is it redundant to get a Tung-Sol?

karter2000 · #11 03-30-2010, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnk_10

i think they are both great tubes. IME, the EC803S has a little more gain and a little more highs, yet also have a little more punch in the mids and bass, so overall, its a bit fuller/punchier. if you already have enough gain, i'd go with the 83S, if you want a little more, try the 803S.

Sorry, another question. When you say more gain, does that mean increase in headroom (clean), or does the EC803S distort/overdrive the amp more?

johnk_10 · #12 03-30-2010, 03:05 PM

it has more output, not more clean headroom.
one way to look at it is that if universal audio are using the JJ EC83S as their tube of choice for the 6176 and LA 610, you coud pretty much assume that they must be good.

johnk_10 · #13 03-30-2010, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by karter2000

I've heard lots that the Tung-Sol and EHX are basically the same tube. If I have a EHX already, is it redundant to get a Tung-Sol?

i believe that the Tung sol has a different type of getter than the EH, otherwise they're pretty much the same tube. both are good, but between those two, i'd give the slight edge to the tung-sol.

Red Planet · #14 03-30-2010, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by karter2000

I've heard lots that the Tung-Sol and EHX are basically the same tube. If I have a EHX already, is it redundant to get a Tung-Sol?

They do sound different as I already stated.

Neither last very long in V1 of an amp that is pushed. They become very microphonic very quickly. IMHO YMMV

Red Planet · #15 03-30-2010, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by karter2000

Thanks everyone for your responses!

Is there a big difference between the JJ EC83S and EC803S? I notice that tubedepot has a "high performance" JJ EC803S that is more money than the EC83S.

The 803 is a Long Plate tube and like John said brighter. They can be more sensitive to vibration because of the larger surface area in some instences.

The 83 is darker and is a Short Plate tube. Nice sounding tube IMHO. I like both of these.