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Choosing a new preamp tube!

nastyn8c

nastyn8c

Feb 7, 2005
809
6
38
Tampa, FL
#1
So I just picked up a used Eden Navigator, and I'm looking to make improvements where I can. The first is the tube. I believe currently it's an Eden 7025 made by Sovtek. I'm under the impression that Eden's design doesn't rely much on the tube for tone, but I still want to try it out.

Requirements:
-ZERO distortion
-Low Noise
-Low Microphonics
-Something to beef up my higher strings


My Dingwall with an 18 volt OBP-3 doesn't let me turn the gain on the Eden past 11 anyway, so I was thinking of a 5751. I'm not quite sure how all of this works, but maybe with a gain factor of 70 instead of 100 I could just turn the gain knob up to compensate. Would that cause increased distortion?

I had a GT 12AX7 Mullard reissue in my old SWR SM400-S, and I liked it, though not enough to make it worth not looking around before buying another. Anyway, pour some suggestions on me.

Thanks!
 
#2
I am a big fan of the 5751 tube

Jan/Phillips 5751.. its a lower gain preamp tube that sings... it will lower your output a hair so if you have enough headroom, go for it.

I have used these in all my preamps since the early 90's...

Also the Sovtek 12AX7LPS is a great sounding tube... the long plate series' are very colorful.
 
#3
I have the Eden WT800 - and have tried a few different tubes in it. I've tried a Ruby 12ax7 - which sounded like garbage. Also ran a Sovtek 12ax7LP and a EH 12ax7EH. The EH sounded the best out of all of those. Then, I bought the 7025 from Eden and the amp came to life. If you hit the front end real hard, that is when you'll REALLY hear that preamp punch.

I have run 5751 tubes in my guitar amp for 15 years - one of my favorite preamp tubes of all time. have not tried it in the Eden preamp yet.....hmmmmm
 
#5
Thanks for the suggestions guys. I think I would prefer the 5751 tonally, but since the DI doesn't get too loud, I don't have the spare headroom to make it work.

I'm probably just going to go for a well tested, NOS USA 12AX7.
 
#6
Telefunkens give me the best results...very articulate & open transparent tone. Harmonics are chimey too! When pushed, they break-up very evenly.

In multi-stage preamps, I run GE 5751's in V2 with great results!
 

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