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What are some favorite NOS 12AX7s for phono?

I recently bought a new phonostage here on Audiogon. I wanted something made right here in the States like my last tube preamp,so I pulled the trigger on one made by Jenison Audio;the Perpetuum model. I checked and he(seller: dividebytube) doesn't have one listed for sale right now, but I have been really happy with it. I have a VPI table w/ SME 309 arm, and right now I'm running a Dynavector 10X5 high opt. MC phono cart. I have tried Sovtek LPS 12AX7 tubes and liked the treble detail and "crisp and clean" sound they offer, but I am definitely looking for more of a 3-D sound. I am open to suggestions for NOS (or modern production) 12AX7 tubes that balance detail and warmth, sort of an "updated vintage" sound. I welcome any suggestions.
javastan

Showing 4 responses by javastan

javastan OP
4 posts
 
Stickman-- I actually was curious about the Sophia; is this a selected version of the same tube also sold as the Tianjin Full Music? Does the Sophia have box plates, kind of like the pictures of CV 4004 Mullards I have seen? Is there a particular vendor to get them from? THANKS to all! C. James
javastan OP
4 posts
 
Hifi-- Thanks for the input! I will definitely try to drop you a line in a couple days to get some additional info about your Amperex tubes. Thanks again!
javastan OP
4 posts
 
Wow-- a lot to mull over. Thanks to all for sharing your knowledge and experience. I have a pair of RCA 5751s that the seller told me are very early production, with shiny black plates, "RCA" in tall white letters & extra mica spacers, but they sound SO different from 12AX7s in the Perpetuum that I emailed Kevin at Jenison Audio and he said that using 5751s won't harm the unit but absolutely will change the RIAA EQ in this type of phonostage. Maybe after I gain some more experience I can revisit the 5751 vs. 12AX7 issue. The Psvane tubes caught my eye, along with the Tianjin Full Music 12AX7s; both are interesting... but pricey! Thanks again to everyone for much to consider.
javastan OP
4 posts
 
Thanks to all for many interesting answers with much food for thought. I am going to test the waters with a pair of Dutch Amperex phono selected ECC83; they are the I65 variant and have a "delta" factory code etched. (I'm quoting the vendor here!) I got a good deal on these; not ebay prices but much less than some I have seen. I chose these because of the HUGE amount of praise they receive on every tube forum I logged onto. Perhaps when the Sophia and Psavane tubes get wider circulation and thus are more widely evaluated I can think about trying a new production tube. Again; many thanks. I look forward to posting listening impressions shortly.
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