Craig6519 Posted May 11, 2003 Share Posted May 11, 2003 I'm new to tubes and I'm looking for a pair of Mullard 12AX7. What should I look for? How much should I pay? Thanks Craig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkrop Posted May 11, 2003 Share Posted May 11, 2003 ebay,make sure they are tested and test well and they come from someone with lots of positive feedback. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deang Posted May 11, 2003 Share Posted May 11, 2003 "...make sure they are tested and test well." Don't mean to sound rude -- but how does one do that? You can find what you are looking for at www.audiotubes.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radiohead Posted May 11, 2003 Share Posted May 11, 2003 Dean, I think they only way to tell if they are truly tested or not is to test them yourself once the eBay transaction is over. I have purchased tubes before from sellers there but only from ones with an extremely high feedback number. I also go in to the user's feedback and click on the last twenty or so transactions they performed to see what kind of items they are selling and/or buying. There really is no guarantee but risk brings reward sometimes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted May 11, 2003 Share Posted May 11, 2003 Radiohead has the right idea. I have bought many tubes off ebay using the same technique it works well. I have yet to be stung. Heck I bought 8 tubes last week alone ! I find to get the best deal buy them in 1-2 at a time quads drive the prices thru the ceiling. You not only want the test scores from the seller but also the minimum good for the tester used. Most 12AX7 in good shape score near double the minimum on my Hickok and most all other testers. Craig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted May 11, 2003 Share Posted May 11, 2003 Like this auction where I bought 5 12AU7's to get 2 Telefunken smooth plates that test like new !! Heck I got the 5 tubes for the price of the tubes I was really after !! http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3021016158&category=3284&rd=1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkrop Posted May 11, 2003 Share Posted May 11, 2003 Sorry Dean, I just meant that the buyer should look for these descriptions of the tubes and to check with the sellers feedback before bidding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dflip Posted May 11, 2003 Share Posted May 11, 2003 Not sure if you are looking for new or used, but 12AX7 Mullard, made for Sherwood with both names on it. Used. Tests new. In plain white box. Lettering quite clear. Four available. $35 US http://www.dsuper.net/~167418/vaud/tubesales.htm He also has Telefunkens for the same price. Not sure what you can get off of ebay and what price you will pay for them. I have bought tubes from Marc before and have been happy with them. Just my two cents worth, (3.86 cents Canadian). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arfz28 Posted May 11, 2003 Share Posted May 11, 2003 Craig is a 12au7 telefuken the same as the 12ax7 telefuken?Can you use the 12au7 tubes in the preamp section in a scott 299a? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deang Posted May 11, 2003 Share Posted May 11, 2003 No. Those are different tubes, and not interchangeable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arfz28 Posted May 11, 2003 Share Posted May 11, 2003 Thanks Dean, I didnt know if they were the same or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted May 11, 2003 Share Posted May 11, 2003 arfz28, Well if you put a 12AU7 in a 12AX7 spot it would most likely work but sound horible ! Not a good Idea. I want them for my Scott preamp and also for my Mark III's that will soon be on the way. Craig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtice Posted May 12, 2003 Share Posted May 12, 2003 Craig, In the HF-81 preamp section, do I need to match the12AX7's to each other AND the 12AU7's or only to each other? IOW, am I looking for two matched pairs or do all four tubes need to match? John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted May 12, 2003 Share Posted May 12, 2003 John, Matching the 12AX7 and 12AU7 are not a absolute necessity but they should all be strong and within reason of each other like 20% or better the 12AX7 and 12AU7 do not need to match each since there not the same tube. These tubes are not run at there limit so the effects of not being matched are not a big deal like your output tubes. Craig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted May 12, 2003 Share Posted May 12, 2003 Craig, This link that Dflip provided is from a great guy that stands behind what he sells he is a avid member of the HH Scott website and here also. He also makes custom cases for Scott amps. This would be a safe bet and $35 each is a fair price ! Tell him we sent you from the Klipsch forum just so he knows where the business is coming from if you decide to pickup a few from him. http://www.dsuper.net/~167418/vaud/tubesales.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig6519 Posted May 12, 2003 Author Share Posted May 12, 2003 Thanks Everybody. Craig, exactally which 12AX7 do I ask for? He has about 4 different models? Craig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T2K Posted May 12, 2003 Share Posted May 12, 2003 Craig, once you get the Tele's please post your thoughts on their sound vs another brand you may try. The Telefunken's are noted for their clarity and detail. Along with clarity comes a sound that, to my ears, is more forward. I'm interested how that plays with your KLF30's. Good luck! Keith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dflip Posted May 12, 2003 Share Posted May 12, 2003 Talktokeith Craig, once you get the Tele's please post your thoughts on their sound vs another brand you may try. The Telefunken's are noted for their clarity and detail. Along with clarity comes a sound that, to my ears, is more forward. ---------------------- I have a pair of 6U8 Telefunkens and agree with your clarity and forward comments. They sound very good, but took a couple of days of gettting used to. The Dumont 7687's have a fuller sound, but not as much clarity. It is trade off. As for the 12AX7's, I found I needed to remove about an inch of caulking from the squawker when I put the Tele's in, They were very nice sounding , but a little more relaxed in the presentation. My 5751's sound nicer, but are only 70% as efficient. They may not be a good mix for your Eico. I believe the smooth plates are the prefered Tele's. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBM135 Posted May 12, 2003 Share Posted May 12, 2003 I bought some 6BL8s on ebay. NOS NIB RCAs that test as new supposedly. Can;t afford Telefunkens. Hope these will work. I have GE's in now and no idea how old they are. i just wanted some spares in case a tube goes bad. Ordered a $12 Sovtek 5AR4 just to have an extra. Seems like NOS tubes sell for too much but I didn't see too many new 6BL8s out there. Fun to experiment I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kev313 Posted May 13, 2003 Share Posted May 13, 2003 Is it me or does Vacuum Tube Valley charge $$$$ for tubes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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