How are Mullard 12AX7s?

[audio]

I was wondering if anyone had an opinion on the sound of Mullard 12AX7s? Where do these fit on the quality scale?

[fjhuerta]

This is an interesting question, Prix... my own preamp uses 12AX7 tubes. I was wondering about Sovteks, but it seems their tubes are merely average...

[mcow1]

Mullards are supposed to be good tubes. However, when I was talking to Kevin at upscale audio about replcing the 12AX7s in the pre section of my Jolida yesterday. He recommended the 1961 Sylvania 12AX7s. I understand from friends that Mullards sound great though. I ordered some Mullard 12At7s from him too.

[sgb]

Try the RCA black plates from the fifties if you can find them. These are far more three-dimensional and solid sounding than even the legendary Telefunkens. When they show up on ebay the sell for about $50/tube.

[Larpy]

It just so happens that I bought a Mullard 12AX7 a few weeks ago. Only thing is that it was for my Fender Deluxe Reverb amplifier rather than a piece of HiFi. So my impressions might not be helpful (guitar amplifiers and hifi amplifiers seeking such different goals and all), but here's what I hear using different 12AX7 tubes in the first gain stage of my Fender amp:

NOS tubes—
‘70s Mullard ECC83 sweet, shimmery, but bright with bite

‘80s Tungsram ECC83 not as bright as Mullard and a bit sweeter, midrange seems especially sparkly and detailed

In Current Production tubes—
Tesla JJ ECC83S big bottom and fat midrange, more gain, thick sounding

E.I. ECC83 less gain than Tesla, very even and balanced sounding, airy sounding, somewhat recessed midrange

Sovtek 12AX7 tight sounding (not necessarily in a bad way), less bass and more treble; in comparison to above tubes, sounds just a bit thin

For those of you who have used these tubes in HiFi amps, I wonder if my impressions of their sound in guitar amplifier are at all similar to yours.

Larpy

[Steve Hoffman]

Originally posted by prix
I was wondering if anyone had an opinion on the sound of Mullard 12AX7s? Where do these fit on the quality scale?

Great quality, even the IEC versions. Too bright for normal use. Not as bright as Sylvanias though...

[mcow1]

Originally posted by Steve Hoffman


Great quality, even the IEC versions. Too bright for normal use. Not as bright as Sylvanias though...
God, I hope not. Kevin at Upscale told me the Sylavania would not be a bright tube. I told him my system was a little bright already and needed a little more mid-range

[Steve Hoffman]

Well, let us know. I trust Kevin. Too bad he ran out of Telefunkens.

[mcow1]

Originally posted by Steve Hoffman
Well, let us know. I trust Kevin. Too bad he ran out of Telefunkens.
I will. Here's what Kevin says about these on his website.We recently scored a nice stash of untouched 1961 vintage Sylvania in Air Force boxes. I thought these would sound zippy like later Philips ECG, but the opposite is true. These tubes are wonderfully smooth and clean, being extremely listenable.

[Clay]

RCA black plates from the fifties

I am running telefunken 12ax7 in my C20. I have a quad of RCA black plates from the fifties for tube rolling. If you want them send me a pm. ($169)

[mcow1]

Originally posted by Steve Hoffman
Well, let us know. I trust Kevin. Too bad he ran out of Telefunkens.
Well, they're not quite the drastic change I was hoping for in changing from the stock Jolidas. But they're OK. Did make a nice change on some things. Billie Holiday's voice, for instance, is just a wonder.

[Vinyl-Addict]

I bought 3 of the Sylvanias from Kevin a few months ago and think they are a good "deal":laugh:, however they are a little bright compared to other 12AX7's I own.

I have 3 different sets of Mullards, CV4004, ECC83's, and 50's vintage 12AX7's. I like all of them but they are getting pretty expensive.
I use them in my EAR preamp in the phono section. Currently I am running 50's RCA Triple Mica 5751 blackplates and I really like them. They are not easy to find and figure on spending megabucks if you do find them.

Well, let us know. I trust Kevin. Too bad he ran out of Telefunkens
Last time I asked Kevin about 12AX7 tele's, he said he was asking a whopping $150 apiece!:eek: