The best 12ax7 (current releases)

Any recommendation ? this is for my power amp. No vintage/NOS please due to mad prices. Mullard & Tung Sol reissue, JJ ECC803S, etc. ?

I think you've to buy, test and try them to experience if it meets your expectation. A great name or reputable tube that may sound good in my amp may not be so great in your amp.

cmboy wrote:I think you've to buy, test and try them to experience if it meets your expectation. A great name or reputable tube that may sound good in my amp may not be so great in your amp.

yes, it's true. U may need to bring your amp to the shop to test which tube sounded the best then only buy.

Try Octave, they might help u on this...

The new 12AX7 tubes aren't too costly, so it's not unheard of to buy some to try, let them run in for 40-50hrs and sell them if you don't like them. I've tried a variety of 12AX7 tubes for the input stage of my power amp, and also my preamp. From my experience of the easily available ones.

Tungsol (standard) - clean sounding with extended headroom
Tungsol ((gold pin) - similar to above, but with added impact and dynamics. My choice for my preamp currently, until I can get some NOS Telefunkens!
Mullard - sweet sounding, very tasteful
Sovtek (depending on grade) - not as transparent as the Tungsol but has slam
EH - not my favourite tube at all!

Thanks guys. I might go for the Mullard reissues to drive my EL34's.

Hi guys,

Sorry for jumping into this old thread. But, as a newbie, can anybody suggest where can I buy 12AX7 and EL34B tubes in KL?

I prefer not to buy them online

can try Octave in pj

boxer wrote:can try Octave in pj

Thanks a lot boxer..really appreciate that

If you check online, there is growing consensus that Tianjin Full Music makes the best 12ax7 and12au7 tubes in the world . I have tried both Siemens and Millard nos cv4004 and the Full Music better them, and they are that much cheaper. They are low noise enough to be used in my EAR834p. Can be easily bought online from eBay hk based sellers, the USA sellers are much more expensive as you are paying for double shipping, ie from manufacturer to them and then from them to you.