Genalex Gold Lion 12ax7 vs Sovtek 12ax7LPS in phono pre

cyto

cyto

Super Member
As the title says, how do the Gold Lion 12ax7 and Sovtek 12ax7LPS compare in a phono preamp?

I have a Hagerman Cornet 2 with Sovtek 12ax7's in the 1 and 2 spots and an Amperex 12au7 in #3. Was thinking of replacing the Sovteks with Gold Lions. The Gold Lions are a bit pricey so I thought I would get a few opinions.

Thanks

David
 
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As far as I can tell, they are exactly the same tube--same plate structure, same mica spacers, same round getter, except for the gold pins on the Gold Lion. And they sound very very close to me, too. :dunno:

I did some extensive listening tests a few years back comparing all the major label new production 12AX7s in my EL84 power amp (the tube being rolled was the first voltage gain stage tube): Electro Harmonix, Sovtek 12AX7 LPS, Sovtek 5751, Mullard, GL, Tung Sol, JJ, and Shuguang.

The Sovtek 12AX7 LPS/Gold Lion came out on top, followed by the Mullard as a close second. Middle of the pack was EH and Tung Sol. Rounding out the bottom three were JJ, Shuguang, and dead last was the Sovtek 5751, which was just awful.

The Sovtek 12AX7 LPS has a beefy bottom end, slightly etched top end, whereas the Mullard is a bit softer and nicer on top but more muddy on the bottom. Overall I preferred the LPS even though it wasn't quite as smooth in the top registers.

Your results may (probably will) vary, especially in a phono preamp.
 

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I have the Sovtek LPS tubes in my Dynaco phono stage. They're actually the quietest tubes I have. I haven't spent a lot of time rolling tubes in there once i got a set that didn't hum and hiss but they sound just fine to me.
 
cyto said:
As the title says, how do the Gold Lion 12ax7 and Sovtek 12ax7LPS compare in a phono preamp?

I have a Hagerman Cornet 2 with Sovtek 12ax7's in the 1 and 2 spots and an Amperex 12au7 in #3. Was thinking of replacing the Sovteks with Gold Lions. The Gold Lions are a bit pricey so I thought I would get a few opinions.

Thanks

David
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Key here is that your putting them in a phono stage. Your main concerns are, quiet because your amplifying from low input signal and neutral, you have lots more to go through to color the music.The LPS has a spiral, hum bucking, filament that makes them ideal for that position plus it is a neutral sounding tube. I have been using them for years now in my SP6.
I do not know the Gold Lion tubes. No great need to retube anything lately. From what I hear on the street they are well spoken of. May be, I'm not saying for sure, they are better suited to other preamp or input stages.
 
As others have noted best tube is circuit dependent & what sounds best to Your ears.

The Sovtek LPS IS a very quiet tube & reasonably priced.
Purchase from a reliable vendor to get good, well matched pairs.

I use Jim McShane, but other AK sponsor bendors should be able to set you up.

Good luck!
Paul
 
I was running Sovtek LPS in my phono stage for a few years, got a matched set from Jim McShane.

If you are going to upgrade save up for NOS to get a big jump in performance.

I picked up some RCA and Telefunken used 12ax7 tubes in used gear and they are significantly better sounding to my ears.
 
If you can't afford Telefunkens, the Sovtek LPS is a close contender- with similar overall sonic character to the Telefunken.

I have always been impressed with those. Apart from the rare noisy tube (extremely rare, in fact), they do VERY well.

Regards,
Gordon.
 
Does it drive anyone else nutz that they have bastardized these once great tube names. I don't even know what folks are talking about half the time. Stamping Genelex on a Russian tube, doesn't get you anywhere close to a Genelex tube. The PEOPLE who made the old tubes were sometimes third generation artisans, that crafted very special tubes. Not to mention the mind boggling specs of the old tooling that was used. As a quick example, I have a quad of Genelex KT77s, and trust me, what sells as a KT77 today, is not even in the same universe. It's like these car companies bring back GSs and GTOs with 4 doors! WTF? At least those are the same companies though, in the same countries. Rant over.:D
 
jaymanaa said:
Does it drive anyone else nutz that they have bastardized these once great tube names. I don't even know what folks are talking about half the time. Stamping Genelex on a Russian tube, doesn't get you anywhere close to a Genelex tube. The PEOPLE who made the old tubes were sometimes third generation artisans, that crafted very special tubes. Not to mention the mind boggling specs of the old tooling that was used. As a quick example, I have a quad of Genelex KT77s, and trust me, what sells as a KT77 today, is not even in the same universe. It's like these car companies bring back GSs and GTOs with 4 doors! WTF? At least those are the same companies though, in the same countries. Rant over.:D
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Jay,

Nothing, I mean nothing is what it appears to be or talked about anymore…..

A Happy New Year To All Fellow AK’ers……..
 
zandru said:
Jay,

Nothing, I mean nothing is what it appears to be or talked about anymore…..

A Happy New Year To All Fellow AK’ers……..
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Ah, tis very true. I've noticed some of the Telefunken tubes you've dealt with while working on their microphones. I think there's a reason people will pay the prices they do for certain tubeage. I also think there are some tubes that they just can't, or won't really figure out. The 7591 could be an example. :dunno: Maybe it's just a part of getting old that makes us miss the real stuff.
 
I didn't know what a Hagerman Cornet 2 was.....so googled it. I came across this site....which was very interesting....as far as the financial angle.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1907446723/cornet3-a-diy-tube-phono-preamp

The Hagerman Cornet 2 Phono preamp is a hansome piece of gear. I like the looks.

I've never bought any new tubes Cyto...so really can't comment.

You should try some vintage tubes....I'm listening to some 1958 Bugleboys now....and they sound great.
 
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Leland47 said:
I didn't know what a Hagerman Cornet 2 was.....so googled it. I came across this site....which was very interesting....as far as the financial angle.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1907446723/cornet3-a-diy-tube-phono-preamp

The Hagerman Cornet 2 Phono preamp is a hansome piece of gear. I like the looks.

I've never bought any new tubes Cyto...so really can't comment.

You should try some vintage tubes....I'm listening to some 1958 Bugleboys now....and they sound great.
Click to expand...

Your link is the Cornet 3, a little different from the Cornet 2. I am using an NOS amperex in the 12AU7 slot. Think I will keep the Sovtek 12AX7LPS tubes for a while.

Here is the Cornet 2 I built:

completedfront_zps0fc95910.jpg
 
jaymanaa said:
Does it drive anyone else nutz that they have bastardized these once great tube names. I don't even know what folks are talking about half the time. Stamping Genelex on a Russian tube, doesn't get you anywhere close to a Genelex tube. The PEOPLE who made the old tubes were sometimes third generation artisans, that crafted very special tubes. Not to mention the mind boggling specs of the old tooling that was used. As a quick example, I have a quad of Genelex KT77s, and trust me, what sells as a KT77 today, is not even in the same universe. It's like these car companies bring back GSs and GTOs with 4 doors! WTF? At least those are the same companies though, in the same countries. Rant over.:D
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I hear you. I have a tough time with the quality of all kinds of new stuff. I borrowed a drill bit from a new set last night and it was complete and total excrement: off-round hole and super aggressive feed-rate to the point of being dangerous...
 
A Wonderful & Beautiful Canoe Year To All,

("It's a tough paddle this time of year; but It's worth it...")

Cookie cutter-like; but I will Guarantee that it "Sounds"...

Cheers......Z.......
 
zandru said:
A Wonderful & Beautiful Canoe Year To All,

("It's a tough paddle this time of year; but It's worth it...")

Cookie cutter-like; but I will Guarantee that it "Sounds"...

Cheers......Z.......
Click to expand...

Hey Zandru, did you ever find that elusive Tele you were searching for, or am I remembering that wrong?:scratch2:
 
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