/ Register

Anyone tried the Ei 12AX7/ECC83 in their preamp?

Discussion in 'Amps and Cabs [BG]' started by lo-freq, Jul 2, 2003.

  1. Jul 2, 2003 #1
    lo-freq

    lo-freq aka UFO

    Jan 19, 2003
    SW, OK
    thetubestore says these are good tubes if screened for microphonics and treated gently, but I think they were reviewing them in guitar amps.

    Anyone here try them out?

    Also how about the Sovtek 12AX7LPS?

    I have a Demeter 201S (FWIW).

    [And yes, I've done the searches.]
     
  2. Jul 3, 2003 #2
    ebozzz

    ebozzz Supporting Member

    May 17, 2001
    Colorado
    I'm using both right now. A Sovtek 12AX7LPS in a Peavey KiloBass and and the Ei Elite in my Peavey MAX. The preamp sections of both units are essentially the same and had some Chinese made tubes in them when they came into my care.

    The LPS was the first up and noticed more definition/clarity, smoother tone and good bass response when compared to the tube that it replaced. The Ei has good bass response to me also but the upper mids and treble seem to open up more to make it sound clearer than the LPS to my ears.

    Neither of them are terribly expensive. You can expect to pay about $10.00 for the LPS & $14.00 for Ei Elite with the gold plating. At least that's what I was quoted when I talk to Lord Valve a couple of weeks back. Now the question would be, how would they sound in the 201s?
     
  3. Jul 3, 2003 #3
    jokerjkny

    jokerjkny

    Jan 19, 2002
    NY / NJ / PHL
    yea, the only Ei's i would touch are the gold plated Elites. but any ECC83 will have a softer more juicier feel.
     
  4. Jul 3, 2003 #4
    j_sun23

    j_sun23

    Feb 24, 2003
    Baton Rouge LA
    This isn't a direct answer, but related nonetheless. I just replace the tubes in my ADA MB-1. As far as I know the tubes in it were the originals (no name 12ax7a's). I bought a pair of the EH12AX7's by electro harmonix from the tubestore and was amazed with the difference it made. The lows seemed lower and warmer, and the high mids to highs seemed more 'open' and clear. The originals did seems to be 'hotter', more gain, whatever, than the EH's, but the EH's sound so much more musical. Maybe it's cause they replaced Old possibly bad tubes, but maybe it's because they really are sweeter. I decided on those after reading every 12ax7 description/review on the tubestore site, and on a recommendation from them. I think they were like $8 a pop + $8 shipping. Anyways, I'm happy with them so far. I hope this helps.