Tube upgrade for my Berning Pre

[WhiteSE]

I am debating between finding some telefunken or Mullard to swap into my Berning TF-10....it only needs 2 for the phono section,,6 for the line stage (cant afford to swap that many)...

Any opinions?? The system is a Thorens TD165 with Grado Prestige Blue, into the Berning then to a McIntosh MC250 driveing some JBL L-96's///

[Jack G]

You don't mention what the tubes are that you wish to replace.
Jack

[WhiteSE]

Doh!...the 2 phono section tubes are 12AX7's.....

[Thatch_Ear]

What is in there now?

[Jack G]

I don't have teles, but I do have some Mullard box plates. they are OK-warm, and very smooth, but slightly rolled off and fuzzy sounding. Don't get the 70s versions.
They WILL cost you.
If its feasable, you might want to try 5751s. They are similar to 12AX7s, but have lower mu/gain.
I'm using Raytheon 5751s in my EAR phono pre. Much better than 12AX7s IMO.
go here:

http://www.audioasylum.com/scripts/d.pl?audio/faq/joes-tubes.html

Joe's expereinces are similar to mine.
enjoy,
Jack

[one1speed]

Well, I just dropped an NOS Tung Sol 12AU7 into my Audio Note M1 and wow! It's like a whole new unit and has taken it to a whole new level.

My suggestion is to contact someone who sells tubes, tell them what you're using and see what they recommend. The gentlemen I dealt with seemed very honest and actually steered me away from buying more expensive Mullard tubes.

I ended up getting the Tung Sol and an RCA grey plate, still saving $$ over the Mullard I was originally going for.

Best of luck!

[Jack G]

Originally posted by one1speed
Well, I just dropped an NOS Tung Sol 12AU7 into my Audio Note M1 and wow! It's like a whole new unit and has taken it to a whole new level.

My suggestion is to contact someone who sells tubes, tell them what you're using and see what they recommend. The gentlemen I dealt with seemed very honest and actually steered me away from buying more expensive Mullard tubes.

I ended up getting the Tung Sol and an RCA grey plate, still saving $$ over the Mullard I was originally going for.

Best of luck!

He's looking for 12AX7s, not 12AU7s.
Be carefull with tube seller's recomendations-they may or may not be familiar with your equipement, and they may or may not have your taste. They certainly won't tell you the best tube for you is one they don't have.

Frequently one has to experiment to find what they like-expensive tubes are not always they way to go.

As usual,
YMMV,
Jack

[WhiteSE]

Thanks for the input,,,I was trying to find if there is some consensue about the changes that they bring to the sound..I definitely want accuracy more than anything else...and no roll-offs anywhere...

Currently I have made in Hungary "something SRAM"...lettering is kinda gone..

[Jack G]

Originally posted by WhiteSE
Thanks for the input,,,I was trying to find if there is some consensue about the changes that they bring to the sound..I definitely want accuracy more than anything else...and no roll-offs anywhere...

Currently I have made in Hungary "something SRAM"...lettering is kinda gone..

Tungsram

Ok, nothing special-current production.
Consensus will be difficult.

Persoanlly, I'm not a big fan of 12AX7s Early boxplates seem better than most, but 5751s are clearly superior to me.
enjoy,
Jack

[one1speed]

Originally posted by Jack G
He's looking for 12AX7s, not 12AU7s.

I realize this, was just trying to say go for it, that changing a tube can be very positive. But, you won't know until you try.

[Celt]

For those who don't know:

12AT7 60% amplification factor (12AZ7 too)
12AU7 20% amplification factor
12AV7 45% amplification factor
12AX7 100% amplification factor
12AY7 40% amplification factor

[WhiteSE]

I have been reading on some guys who have replaced their tubes with Tung Sol 5751's and they all seem to like it,,,

Then I have been reading about the improved Sovtek 12AX7..the 12AX7LPS...I think that for 12 bucks a tube I may try the Sovtek...the Tung Sol's are hard to come by,,a couple on Ebay, thats about it///

[Celt]

The Sovtek "LPS" is an excellent tube. Avoid the $3-$5 Sovtek 12AX7A/7025's. They sound harsh and spitty.

[WhiteSE]

I ordered a pair of Sovtek LPS from AmusicDirect....will post review when they arrive,,,they say 30 hrs burn in time...we will see..

[Thatch_Ear]

I like 5751s (GE 5 Stars) myself and have a number of Mullards, Teles, RCA black and greys and I have found that every piece of gear treats tubes differently. A bit lower gain as in a 5751 can make for a darker and larger sound stage, but you might not get the highs you seem to be looking for. Take you time, buy smart and get a collection going. I think I went through at least 10 pairs of 6SL7s before deciding what I liked best.
Other than 5751s my fav US made are RCA black plates. These are just 12AX7s no As or anything else on the number.

[WhiteSE]

I will try...everytime I decide to get something, budget constraints come upon me...lol

next will be some RCA's....

[jt1stcav]

I had some very nice late vintage '83 JAN Philips 12AX7WA tubes for my phono stage to my AMC CVT 1030s tube preamp several years ago...replaced the cheap stock Sovteks that came with it, which didn't sound good at all, plus they popped alot. I almost bought a pair of the premium Sovtek 12AX7LPS, which blow their standard model out of the water, but I settled on the NOS JAN Philips because the price was right, and I never regretted it!