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Opinions On New Production Tubes....


SWL

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Well I've got about 70-80 hours on the Psvane Treasure Series 12AX7's. A couple days ago I finally decided to pop back in the NOS Mullard 12AX7 long plates. Went back to the Psvane and then ultimately back to the Mullards.

 

Of all the new production tubes I've tried so far, the 12AX7 Treasure Series tubes have certainly been the closest thing to my NOS tubes. Close but no cigar! I was kinda surprised because the Treasure tubes really do sound nice. Really nice BUT in a direct comparison they just don't have the genuine, authentic sound of the NOS. Another thing about the NOS tubes is they have a transparency the Psvane's do not.

 

So my tube set in my 222c is entirely NOS now except the power tubes. I've been using EL84M's and really like them but tomorrow I'm picking up some NOS RCA 7189's and then I'm on the hunt for some NOS Amperex and/or Telefunken 7189's. EDIT: Just scored some NOS Mullard 7189's. Should get them in a couple days.

 

When I first started tube rolling, I was under the assumption that only the preamp tubes would significantly alter the sound. Not the case. They ALL change the sound! How cool is that?!![emoji14]

 

The Psvane's are keepers but NOS rules in this amp.[emoji39]

 

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

 

 

 

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  • 2 months later...

I'm happy to report that since installing the MAHL K-79 tweeters in my speakers, I am much preferring the sound of my new production Psvane Treasure Series 12AX7's over my NOS Mullard 12AX7's.

The new tweeters are more revealing and more precise. Since the tweeter upgrade, my Psvane's sound more like Mullards and the Mullards sound more like my smooth plate Telefunkens.....go figure.

Also, the new production EL84M power tubes sound great in my amp. I've always liked them but I preferred my NOS RCA 7189's. Maybe the new tweeters are the reason for this change in preference as well? Whatever it is, I like it.

The closest new production rectifier tube I've tried is the 5AR4 from The Tube Store but it really can't compete with the NOS Mullard and Amperex tubes I have. I've noticed that the NOS rectifiers are quieter in my amps. Like something has been taken away.....in a good way. The new production rectifiers I tried (Genelex, Tube Store, Sovtek) all sounded like they added something.....in a bad way.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

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On 2/21/2019 at 12:52 PM, SWL said:

I'm happy to report that since installing the MAHL K-79 tweeters in my speakers, I am much preferring the sound of my new production Psvane Treasure Series 12AX7's over my NOS Mullard 12AX7's.

The new tweeters are more revealing and more precise. Since the tweeter upgrade, my Psvane's sound more like Mullards and the Mullards sound more like my smooth plate Telefunkens.....go figure.

Also, the new production EL84M power tubes sound great in my amp. I've always liked them but I preferred my NOS RCA 7189's. Maybe the new tweeters are the reason for this change in preference as well? Whatever it is, I like it.

The closest new production rectifier tube I've tried is the 5AR4 from The Tube Store but it really can't compete with the NOS Mullard and Amperex tubes I have. I've noticed that the NOS rectifiers are quieter in my amps. Like something has been taken away.....in a good way. The new production rectifiers I tried (Genelex, Tube Store, Sovtek) all sounded like they added something.....in a bad way.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
 

 The Psvane small signal tubes take a good while to settle in. Mullard long plate 12AU7 and 12AX7's are fine tubes but 'good' ones getting hard to find. Mullard 5AR4's are hard to beat. I've not tried any new production 5AR4's.

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Thank you. My Quicksilver integrated came with the regular Sovtek el84. May be my first tube roll with this amp although I am extremely pleased with the way it sounds.
7189's are hard to come by these days. The EL84M's are a good substitute to handle the high plate voltage in my amp.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

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