TJ Fullmusic 12AX7 my impressions

[bsujeep]

I have only old stock 12ax7’s to compare the TJ full music’s to, this is what I compared them to.

1. Telefunken long plate ribbed halo getter
2. Raytheon Black plate 12AX7A
3. Mullard long plate square getter (1959)

I have others but these are the best of them.

The system that I used to compare them with consisted of a Technics SP-10 with SME 3009 S2 Imp and AT20Sla with approximately 85 hours on an AT20SS stylus. The TA is direct wired to a Petra cable. This goes to an Amber Model 17 preamp and out to an SEP Tube amp built by Redboy. This Tube amp was using some borrowed Amperex 7189’s. The speakers are Econowaves using Stephens Trusonic 15in 150W’s for the bass. The impression I get of the three on my system are as follows

1. Telefunken very detailed and slightly forward sounding with good highs just a little ragged on the top end. Solid midrange and bass, but nothing to write home about.

2. Raytheon is very similar to the Tele with a slightly narrower soundstage and slightly less ragged on the top end and just a bit more detailed. Same mid and bass as the Tele.

3. Mullard has less detail and a warmer mid it is smooth and none of the ragged top end that I could detect on the other two.

I started out this comparison running some streamed music through my computer to get a feel for the TJ’s and I have to say this was where it showed the most difference. They really made digital music listenable. What I mean is the digital voices had a smoothness and fullness that I could not get with the other three although the Mullard was close.

When I went to vinyl things got a little closer, however the same apparent differences applied the TJ’s just had a fantastic midrange and a smooooth topend. Not quite as detailed as the Raytheon and Tele, but smoother and more detailed than the Mullard. That lush midrange was just fantastic and made vocals stand out. As far as soundstage the Tele had more depth as did the Raytheon, the Mullard had about the same depth but the TJ had the most width and seemed to make the sweet spot wider. The TJ also had a fuller bass than any of the other three.

Overall I really liked the TJ and thought it was more similar to the Mullard than the other two only better. I will hopefully find myself getting one sometime in the future, because this seems to be a tube a person really should have on hand. I only need one like ehoove. Maybe he and I can split a pair? What do you think Ian?

A big thanks to Ian for letting us test these tubes what a blast.

Bill

[Redboy]

Thanks for the nice review, Bill! Good to know we have options in new production. I really need to expand my horizons a bit and just try some of the newer tubes, already!

[bsujeep]

Thanks Nate, these were pretty sweet tubes. I took them over to Divotdogs and we tried them in his Maggie Monoblocs also. He should be chiming in pretty soon.