I've owned an Eden Wt-400 for about 10 years. I have never changed the tube in it. I am not experiencing any problems w/ the amp, but I am thinking it might be time to change the tube to see how it might effect the sound. I have never bought or experimented with tubes before... What are some good options to go with for a wt-400?
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changing the tube in an Eden wt-400?
- Thread starter jebo
- Start date
Just go on eBay and watch patiently for an NOS GE or RCA 12ax7 from the sixties or seventies. That's what I did to amass a lifetime selection of tubes for my old Ampeg. I got each tube for about 25 bucks delivered; the same as a new Russian tube costs. You can't go wrong with either mentioned. Just good quality rugged tubes. You may notice a little difference but don't expect a miracle; maybe just a bit tighter sounding. A good working tube is a good tube and can last decades Yours is probably fine but it's good to carry a spare.
I even spent 65 on a pair of coveted Mullard Blackburn from 1959 and I can't tell the difference. The RCA and GE sound just as good.
I even spent 65 on a pair of coveted Mullard Blackburn from 1959 and I can't tell the difference. The RCA and GE sound just as good.
It's been said here on TB that one of the WT400's dirty little secrets is that the tube doesn't impart anything on the sound of the amp due to the manner in which it's implemented into the circuit. It's the epitome of having a tube for marketing and nothing else. One could remove the tube and jumper the signal across it and it would sound the same.
I did some some tube rotating in my WT400 years ago and thought I heard subtle differences but that could have totally been the placebo effect. I've fell victim to that before in my audiophile hobby
With that having been said, I have read of a few occasions where people were having WT400 noise and perceived gain losses and the problems were fixed with a tube replacement.
I did some some tube rotating in my WT400 years ago and thought I heard subtle differences but that could have totally been the placebo effect. I've fell victim to that before in my audiophile hobby
With that having been said, I have read of a few occasions where people were having WT400 noise and perceived gain losses and the problems were fixed with a tube replacement.
Can't comment on different tube experience as I've always replaced mine with the standard Sovtek 12ax7. But I can say that it is very easy to do, just unscrew the top chasis and the tube is very accessible to pull and replace.
As MuthaFunk has stated, I have experienced noise and loss of gain when the tube went. One time was during a gig. That wasn't fun. Interesting about the comment regarding jumping the signal without the tube. Never tried that but it would be interesting to hear if there is a difference.
As MuthaFunk has stated, I have experienced noise and loss of gain when the tube went. One time was during a gig. That wasn't fun. Interesting about the comment regarding jumping the signal without the tube. Never tried that but it would be interesting to hear if there is a difference.
Nothing wrong with a Sovtec except that you replaced it. If it were a NOS GE or RCA chances are you'd never have to for a decade or more. I still have the stock pre tubes from my Ampeg and they work great for 35 year old tubes. Swapped them for fresh RCAs and there was little difference. Seems that Russian tubes die in a year or two but they say they're getting better. Dunno, I just dig the old stuff and if it's the same cost, why not?
I have had about six Eden heads and here is my experience. Just think of the tube as a really dim light bulb. I could never hear any difference among the dozen different tubes I tried. However if it quits your amp will quit, so it's a good idea to change it every ten years or so.
Why not contact Eden's customer service department and order a replacement tube directly from them? That way you get a tube that they approve. I purchased two tubes from Eden a few years ago, for my WT550, and they sent them out quickly and affordably.
From Eden's site, you can send email to:
[email protected]
Good luck!
From Eden's site, you can send email to:
[email protected]
Good luck!
Remove the tube and put a jumper? Funny 
The tube in this Eden amp is not in the gain stage but in the impedance stage of the preamp and therefor you don't hear a difference in tone.
Eden uses Ruby 12AX7, but any other good 12AX7 will do the same job.
The tube in this Eden amp is not in the gain stage but in the impedance stage of the preamp and therefor you don't hear a difference in tone.
Eden uses Ruby 12AX7, but any other good 12AX7 will do the same job.
A 12ax7 is a 12ax7. Ruby, Mullard, they will all work. Not sure why anyone thinks that brand matters, except that failures in new production tubes are common, and new old stock tubes it is not common. QC has been lacking in Russian plants but by all accounts is improving constantly. Ruby and other big names sort through and do a second QC checkout. So they a generally great tubes.
I put in a new tube in mine, no change in sound at all. I did lots of research and it really doesn't make a difference. I just replaced mine to be prudent, I wasn't having any issues at all.
