Tubes in the head again haha opinions?? MOD 50

[Telefied]

OK guys since I discovered the EH tube quality for 12AX7s has greatly decreased and the DOAs I have received or short lived tubes from them caused me to hunt for a better in the MOD50 head tubes (not module tubes). I am not totally happy with the results and before I buy even more tubes (not really a bad thing haha) I would love to hear what you guys reccomend. So what I have tried and my notes on them are...

Tung Sol reissue 12AX7s = A bitt clearer on the top end but has this honky mid range to the am overall I do not like
Chinese A/B = to thin and brittle
Sovtek 12AX7WA = these are the stock tubes Jeff confirmned Eggie sends in the head of the Mod50. I do like these quite a bit. A little muddy in the lower mid range but verall they sound rich and good. One problem noise. They make little swoosh or swirls and such and overall gain is noiser through them. These are brand new tubes too by the way not the ones I got in the head a long time ago.

Sooo... what are you all using?

Looking for a 12AX7WA tone with a clearer low mid range and less noise.

Thanks
Ross

 

[Valtiel]

According to Jeff, the Head Tubes dont really have any effect on tone, only gain. So I would just pick a strong 12AX7 with low noise.

 

[jkdsteve]

According to Jeff, the Head Tubes dont really have any effect on tone, only gain. So I would just pick a strong 12AX7 with low noise.

They are not part of the tone circuit but the amplification characteristics of that precious triode affect the downstream circuit...change it and you'll see it has quite an effect.

 

[Telefied]

Yeah I am truly getting tonal changes from swapping the tubes in the head. Mainly when the master is below noon. Louder the amp the more the power tubes take over I guess. Thanks for the thoughts.