What are your favorite 12AX7/ECC83 tubes for the phase inverter, effects loop and reverb slots? Why?

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The Ronin is among my favorite amps, but not cheap and only one or 2 of their models really are that high gain or suited to more aggressive music

Geloso and Ates I actually haven't heard of. GEC as far as I'm aware are UK made tubes (I've got all their tube types too except for just their 5U4's, 6SN7 and 6L6G). I actually have one GEC 12AT7 made in India (was only $20) that also sounds quite good, but the admittedly overpriced UK version sounds better to me and also just different. GEC's are cool but imho overrated (they're prices can be nuts for some of them). Their TT21 KT88's are special though and IME by far the kings of KT88's I've had

Yeah I still like German tubes a lot despite them being in some ways sounding analytical or cold. Valvo's to me don't actually sound that German despite being from there. I hear them as sort of like a brighter bugle boy or smoother, creamier, more polite Siemens. I can see why some may not like their midrange. One of my friend didn't care for it at all in the context of his mic preamp. He said it sounded cloudy to him. I don't know if they're must haves, but another flavor I sometimes like. Where I feel they really shine most are their EL84's and the EL34's are quite good too. A lot of Vox guys have Valvo's as their favorite EL84's. They're voicing I think just really aligns well with Vox's, but in some other EL84 amps I favor other brands more
The Ronin is among my favorite amps, but not cheap and only one or 2 of their models really are that high gain or suited to more aggressive music

Geloso and Ates I actually haven't heard of. GEC as far as I'm aware are UK made tubes (I've got all their tube types too except for just their 5U4's, 6SN7 and 6L6G). I actually have one GEC 12AT7 made in India (was only $20) that also sounds quite good, but the admittedly overpriced UK version sounds better to me and also just different. GEC's are cool but imho overrated (they're prices can be nuts for some of them). Their TT21 KT88's are special though and IME by far the kings of KT88's I've had

Yeah I still like German tubes a lot despite them being in some ways sounding analytical or cold. Valvo's to me don't actually sound that German despite being from there. I hear them as sort of like a brighter bugle boy or smoother, creamier, more polite Siemens. I can see why some may not like their midrange. One of my friend didn't care for it at all in the context of his mic preamp. He said it sounded cloudy to him. I don't know if they're must haves, but another flavor I sometimes like. Where I feel they really shine most are their EL84's and the EL34's are quite good too. A lot of Vox guys have Valvo's as their favorite EL84's. They're voicing I think just really aligns well with Vox's, but in some other EL84 amps I favor other brands more

The Ronin is among my favorite amps, but not cheap and only one or 2 of their models really are that high gain or suited to more aggressive music

Geloso and Ates I actually haven't heard of. GEC as far as I'm aware are UK made tubes (I've got all their tube types too except for just their 5U4's, 6SN7 and 6L6G). I actually have one GEC 12AT7 made in India (was only $20) that also sounds quite good, but the admittedly overpriced UK version sounds better to me and also just different. GEC's are cool but imho overrated (they're prices can be nuts for some of them). Their TT21 KT88's are special though and IME by far the kings of KT88's I've had

Yeah I still like German tubes a lot despite them being in some ways sounding analytical or cold. Valvo's to me don't actually sound that German despite being from there. I hear them as sort of like a brighter bugle boy or smoother, creamier, more polite Siemens. I can see why some may not
The Ronin is among my favorite amps, but not cheap and only one or 2 of their models really are that high gain or suited to more aggressive music

Geloso and Ates I actually haven't heard of. GEC as far as I'm aware are UK made tubes (I've got all their tube types too except for just their 5U4's, 6SN7 and 6L6G). I actually have one GEC 12AT7 made in India (was only $20) that also sounds quite good, but the admittedly overpriced UK version sounds better to me and also just different. GEC's are cool but imho overrated (they're prices can be nuts for some of them). Their TT21 KT88's are special though and IME by far the kings of KT88's I've had

Yeah I still like German tubes a lot despite them being in some ways sounding analytical or cold. Valvo's to me don't actually sound that German despite being from there. I hear them as sort of like a brighter bugle boy or smoother, creamier, more polite Siemens. I can see why some may not like their midrange. One of my friend didn't care for it at all in the context of his mic preamp. He said it sounded cloudy to him. I don't know if they're must haves, but another flavor I sometimes like. Where I feel they really shine most are their EL84's and the EL34's are quite good too. A lot of Vox guys have Valvo's as their favorite EL84's. They're voicing I think just really aligns well with Vox's, but in some other EL84 amps I favor other brands more
The Ronin amps I listened to on youtube sound incredible. The layout and naming of the knobs is very different on some of the Ronin I've seen. Seems like a very unique design. I haven't kept up with anything made recently unfortunately.

Probably seen something relabeled from them and keeping it for note but Ates has a RCA connection and manufactured under license similar to Marconi, Radiotron, etc. all them crooked shell companies designed to get around laws and patents and save a buck. Geloso probably relabeled stuff. Blows my mind how they moved around equipment for tube manufacturing. Mullard and Philips to Matsuishita, Philips Holland i65 to Philips Canada i65, Philips Holland i66 to Philips Brazil i64 and i66, Voshkod to Sovtek to Shunguang and Sylvania to Westinghouse USA to Westinghouse Canada to like 4 more countries in Asia..... just a few of them for 12AX7. You have to pay to play and sometimes I think some tubes are justified. You have a lot of nice tubes.

That's a great way to describe Siemens and Telefunken. Siemens E83CC says it's designed for measuring right in the data sheet. Long life is nice. Super low noise and microphonics is what it's all about. Mostly gotten those out of high end equipment for avionics, communications, medical, military or some kind of labratory. Most of mine were purchased as surplus from the Canadian Pacific Railway Company more commonly known as CP Rail. Paper work says they were ordered directly from Siemens and to be used in their communications equipment. I think a lot of the European tubes share a lot of parts here or there like plates, getters and probably the internals but more importantly the engineers designing it so that's why there's some commoninality. Valvos are okay but never put serious time on them. Tubes are the weirdest thing and I cannot explain them but they just do their thing and I enjoy it. Some of the nuances are hard to detect and sometimes they're blatantly obvious.
 

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The Ronin is among my favorite amps, but not cheap and only one or 2 of their models really are that high gain or suited to more aggressive music

Geloso and Ates I actually haven't heard of. GEC as far as I'm aware are UK made tubes (I've got all their tube types too except for just their 5U4's, 6SN7 and 6L6G). I actually have one GEC 12AT7 made in India (was only $20) that also sounds quite good, but the admittedly overpriced UK version sounds better to me and also just different. GEC's are cool but imho overrated (they're prices can be nuts for some of them). Their TT21 KT88's are special though and IME by far the kings of KT88's I've had

Yeah I still like German tubes a lot despite them being in some ways sounding analytical or cold. Valvo's to me don't actually sound that German despite being from there. I hear them as sort of like a brighter bugle boy or smoother, creamier, more polite Siemens. I can see why some may not like their midrange. One of my friend didn't care for it at all in the context of his mic preamp. He said it sounded cloudy to him. I don't know if they're must haves, but another flavor I sometimes like. Where I feel they really shine most are their EL84's and the EL34's are quite good too. A lot of Vox guys have Valvo's as their favorite EL84's. They're voicing I think just really aligns well with Vox's, but in some other EL84 amps I favor other brands more
The Ronin amps I listened to on youtube sound incredible. The layout and naming of the knobs is very different on some of the Ronin I've seen. Seems like a very unique design. I haven't kept up with anything made recently and there's tons of cool amps I should revisit.

Probably seen something relabeled from them and keeping it for note but Ates has a RCA connection and manufactured under license similar to Marconi, Radiotron, etc. all them crooked shell companies designed to get around laws and patents and save a buck. Geloso probably relabeled stuff. Blows my mind how they moved around equipment for tube manufacturing. Mullard and Philips to Matsuishita, Philips Holland i65 to Philips Canada i65, Philips Holland i66 to Philips Brazil i64 and i66, Voshkod to Sovtek to Shunguang and Sylvania to Westinghouse USA to Westinghouse Canada to like 4 more countries in Asia..... just a few of them for 12AX7. You have to pay to play and sometimes I think some tubes are justified.

That's a great way to describe Siemens and Telefunken. Siemens E83CC says it's designed for measuring right in the data sheet. Super low noise and microphonics. Mostly gotten those out of high end equipment for avionics, communications, medical, military or some kind of labratory. Most of mine were purchased as surplus from the Canadian Pacific Railway Company more commonly known as CP Rail. Paper work says they were ordered directly from Siemens and to be used in their communications equipment. I think a lot of the European tubes share a lot of parts here or there like plates, getters and probably the internals but more importantly the engineers designing it so that's why there's some commoninality. Tubes are the weirdest thing and I cannot explain them but they just do their thing and I enjoy it. Some of the nuances are hard to detect and sometimes they're blatently obvious.
 

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The Ronin amps I listened to on youtube sound incredible. The layout and naming of the knobs is very different on some of the Ronin I've seen. Seems like a very unique design. I haven't kept up with anything made recently and there's tons of cool amps I should revisit.

Probably seen something relabeled from them and keeping it for note but Ates has a RCA connection and manufactured under license similar to Marconi, Radiotron, etc. all them crooked shell companies designed to get around laws and patents and save a buck. Geloso probably relabeled stuff. Blows my mind how they moved around equipment for tube manufacturing. Mullard and Philips to Matsuishita, Philips Holland i65 to Philips Canada i65, Philips Holland i66 to Philips Brazil i64 and i66, Voshkod to Sovtek to Shunguang and Sylvania to Westinghouse USA to Westinghouse Canada to like 4 more countries in Asia..... just a few of them for 12AX7. You have to pay to play and sometimes I think some tubes are justified.

That's a great way to describe Siemens and Telefunken. Siemens E83CC says it's designed for measuring right in the data sheet. Super low noise and microphonics. Mostly gotten those out of high end equipment for avionics, communications, medical, military or some kind of labratory. Most of mine were purchased as surplus from the Canadian Pacific Railway Company more commonly known as CP Rail. Paper work says they were ordered directly from Siemens and to be used in their communications equipment. I think a lot of the European tubes share a lot of parts here or there like plates, getters and probably the internals but more importantly the engineers designing it so that's why there's some commoninality. Tubes are the weirdest thing and I cannot explain them but they just do their thing and I enjoy it. Some of the nuances are hard to detect and sometimes they're blatently obvious.
Very jealous of those. Maybe this is why I have trouble finding more ‘50’s Tungsram’s to buy haha
 
Very jealous of those. Maybe this is why I have trouble finding more ‘50’s Tungsram’s to buy haha
They definitely sound good! I acquired a lot of gear through creativity, patience and persistence over time at great prices. Lots of luck too. Know a few guys IRL with some cool gear who make Bonamassa look like a bum. All relative lol.
 
The Ronin amps I listened to on youtube sound incredible. The layout and naming of the knobs is very different on some of the Ronin I've seen. Seems like a very unique design. I haven't kept up with anything made recently and there's tons of cool amps I should revisit.

Probably seen something relabeled from them and keeping it for note but Ates has a RCA connection and manufactured under license similar to Marconi, Radiotron, etc. all them crooked shell companies designed to get around laws and patents and save a buck. Geloso probably relabeled stuff. Blows my mind how they moved around equipment for tube manufacturing. Mullard and Philips to Matsuishita, Philips Holland i65 to Philips Canada i65, Philips Holland i66 to Philips Brazil i64 and i66, Voshkod to Sovtek to Shunguang and Sylvania to Westinghouse USA to Westinghouse Canada to like 4 more countries in Asia..... just a few of them for 12AX7. You have to pay to play and sometimes I think some tubes are justified.

That's a great way to describe Siemens and Telefunken. Siemens E83CC says it's designed for measuring right in the data sheet. Super low noise and microphonics. Mostly gotten those out of high end equipment for avionics, communications, medical, military or some kind of labratory. Most of mine were purchased as surplus from the Canadian Pacific Railway Company more commonly known as CP Rail. Paper work says they were ordered directly from Siemens and to be used in their communications equipment. I think a lot of the European tubes share a lot of parts here or there like plates, getters and probably the internals but more importantly the engineers designing it so that's why there's some commoninality. Tubes are the weirdest thing and I cannot explain them but they just do their thing and I enjoy it. Some of the nuances are hard to detect and sometimes they're blatently obvious.
I have a bunch of Tungsram preamp tubes. I was paying $16 a piece for them. Of course this was a long time ago.
 
They definitely sound good! I acquired a lot of gear through creativity, patience and persistence over time at great prices. Lots of luck too. Know a few guys IRL with some cool gear who make Bonamassa look like a bum. All relative lol.
Would they really make him look like a bum? I don't know everything he has, but I believe he has roughly a dozen real Dumbles, which alone could be worth $1.5 million and several real '59 Les Paul's, also over a million dollars worth of stuff there, but I know some hi-fi audio guys do have some crazy expensive stuff too
 
I have a bunch of Tungsram preamp tubes. I was paying $16 a piece for them. Of course this was a long time ago.
I've bought some recently for ~$30 a piece, know a few others that did too, but had to pay a lot more for my '50's Tungsram's, but they do sound a lot better
 
I have a bunch of Tungsram preamp tubes. I was paying $16 a piece for them. Of course this was a long time ago.
$16 stamped plate? You obviously did great. $16 welded plate? We might be gear shopping the same place; the obituaries. :D
 
Would they really make him look like a bum? I don't know everything he has, but I believe he has roughly a dozen real Dumbles, which alone could be worth $1.5 million and several real '59 Les Paul's, also over a million dollars worth of stuff there, but I know some hi-fi audio guys do have some crazy expensive stuff too
Obviously Joe Bonamassa is no bum and I'm just being silly. I cannot mention private collectors but I can mention two who are publicly well known. Never seen anyone who had better gear than Ken Hill (RIP) and Jerry Montour. Other than a few billionaires; no one else has the wealth or status to compete.

https://www.jukasamediagroup.com/studio

Audiophiles LOL. Yea you can probably log on Audiokarma and find a few dozen guys in that range.
 
Depends on the amp you have for V1, but I can 100% tell you after rolling through every single NOS tube you can imagine, that the RCA Blackplates will retain the most of each of the spectrum as far as bass, mids, and treble. The effects and PI have them in them in my amp as well, no comparison when I rolled through everything else.
What about Mullard f91/92 late 50’s Blackburn production long plate (17mm)?
 
I should try the RCA black plates more often because everyone loves them and they invented the 12AX7... Only amp I've rolled insanely is a Mark III. You ever use Siemens E83CC? I can imagine a lot of NOS tubes. I've been humbled by a few audiophiles but never met a guitarist as OCD as me when it comes to the 12AX7. These are my spare Mullard 12AX7. Most are long plate or box plate. Everything tests high on a Maxipreamp II.
I could use some NOS f91/92’s for a recording project.
 
What about Mullard f91/92 late 50’s Blackburn production long plate (17mm)?
Thank you very much for the interest but they're not for sale. They do sound incredible though and you have excellent taste.
 
I only checked 4-5 tubes. All stamped plates and all from 72-73. If you look closely, you can see the date.
View attachment 355013
Damn nice. I like how Tungsram has tags rather than ink for dating. Have to be a genius to crack the code without the internet though. So how do you power your Maximatcher/Maxipreamp II? I screwed up early on testing and realized it when I had a lap top running at the same time on the same outlet as the tester. Had to redo a few... I thought about hooking up a furman voltage regulator. I had people suggest running a variac. Lazy and stupid here so I went with using the accessory outlet on the oven for consistent power across different peoples homes wherever I go. I've seen variations of 8/12% on the Maximatcher and like 4-5 db on the Maxipreamp II depending on the outlet and or stuff going on. Never seen gain or transconductance affected...
 
New production or NOS?

For new I like the mesa str

Nos has a million options but I like rca black and gray plates for reverb or fx loop
 
Damn nice. I like how Tungsram has tags rather than ink for dating. Have to be a genius to crack the code without the internet though. So how do you power your Maximatcher/Maxipreamp II? I screwed up early on testing and realized it when I had a lap top running at the same time on the same outlet as the tester. Had to redo a few... I thought about hooking up a furman voltage regulator. I had people suggest running a variac. Lazy and stupid here so I went with using the accessory outlet on the oven for consistent power across different peoples homes wherever I go. I've seen variations of 8/12% on the Maximatcher and like 4-5 db on the Maxipreamp II depending on the outlet and or stuff going on. Never seen gain or transconductance affected...
Most of my Tungsram’s have painted on date codes. The one above is 3M. May of 73.

I use a brown box with my maxi matchers to ensure the voltage is steady and consistent.
 
Most of my Tungsram’s have painted on date codes. The one above is 3M. May of 73.

I use a brown box with my maxi matchers to ensure the voltage is steady and consistent.

The brown box is one of the best pieces of gear ever, its amazing with vintage amps

Its insane how much better an old fender or marshall sounds with correct voltage - especially in places where the power runs spicier
 
Most of my Tungsram’s have painted on date codes. The one above is 3M. May of 73.

I use a brown box with my maxi matchers to ensure the voltage is steady and consistent.
Those ones but that metal clip on the inside has a code for dating too. I couldn't figure it out until someone on the internet sent it to me. Useful for all Tungsram.
 

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Those ones but that metal clip on the inside has a code for dating too. I couldn't figure it out until someone on the internet sent it to me. Useful for all Tungsram.
That guy who originally posted that has a shit load of tubes. Like 1000’s of Mullard EL34’s. I bought RFT’s from him 20+ years ago. He has a lot of Sylvania 6CA7’s as well.
 
That guy who originally posted that has a shit load of tubes. Like 1000’s of Mullard EL34’s. I bought RFT’s from him 20+ years ago. He has a lot of Sylvania 6CA7’s as well.
I don't know how someone figured that out without a computer or mathematician; maybe the company kept some notes.. Came across some guys with large collections here or there but more towards the hifi side. I've never tried the Sylvania 6CA7 but know guys love them. What else are you running for power tubes?
 
 
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