Hagerman Trumpet MC (12AX7 Tube Suggestions)

Sovtek 12AX7LPS are said to be excellent and available. Nothing wrong with Sylvania, etc. TFK are the best but there are many counterfeits. I’d replace 12AU7 with 12FQ7 if the Trumpet has a 12V filament supply or with 6FQ7 if a 6V filament supply.

I have rolled Amperex 12ax7's and RCA Black plates in my Trumpet. I have gone back and forth between those and the "Stock" Mullards. When I put the "old" tubes in compared to the "new" sometimes I say "ah that's fantastic", but I also say the same thing when I roll in the new mullards.

I did roll some old RAM 12au7's that have stayed put. 

Currently I am running the Amperex in the "2nd" position and the New Mullard in the first. Does it make a difference? Not 100% convinced, but that's where I stopped....for now.

Also I seem to think that Jim Hagerman has done extensive testing not only of his gear but of what tubes make his gear sound best. That's why the Mullards keep sticking around for me. They are a touch more noisy than the Amperex but that's splitting hairs at a loud, late at night bourbon drinking level. (Not advised to be testing like that :-) Soundstage seems to be the same for all sets of tubes.

Also I have read the Mullard 12ax7 is a "better" tube than the Sovtek LPS. By better I mean same tube just better specs. I may be wrong on that but I got down a pretty good russian tube rabbit hole a few months back and that stuck with me. 

All that to say I have also rolled a set of RCA 5751 in the Trumpet. Was not bad. Didn't floor me. Definitely had to turn it up a notch.

Have fun, its a great hobby :-)

db

Can’t go wrong with Amperex, the older the better. (As long as the test good)

I have two old Dynaco branded Telefunken black smooth plate 12ax7’s, two old Dystrom branded Mullard Blackburn 12ax7’s, and two old CBS Hytron black plate 12au7’s.

Sounds great. A wonderful mix in the Trumpet after trying a few.

The 12au7 choice makes a difference with your 12ax7 choices.

Wonderful comments everyone and Much Appreciated.

I should note that I only buy from Trusted Sellers that can Identify and actually Test and Match Pairs for me. Been there and done that on Ebay and it was not a great experience.

@lewm Ironically, I am using a Quad of Sovtek 12AX7LPS that were purchased from a Trusted Seller eons ago as Spares for other Gear. I am running the Trumpet now with Tungsram 12AU7’s and the Sovteks. I am quite pleased with the sound but I would like to try some other variations.

@photodusty I loved your Post and Thank You for taking the time to write. On the Supplied Mullards I have to say that I was confused since they were not banded as Matched Pairs and the Four Tubes were just placed in a Bag in the Shipping Box. I actually left them in the Shipping Box knowing that I will be trying the Sovtek’s noted above first. With what you are saying I should have used the new Mullards first before the Sovtek’s.

Your comments on the Amperex were enlightening since I have a Quad of Holland Amperex’s coming. I am fond of them due to my previous experience with them in other Gear.

Thanks for your comment on the RCA 5751 also. I have also reached out to Jim Hagerman recently regarding using a 5751 but have not heard back yet. With your comment quite possibly I am wasting my time exploring this.

@bkeske I reviewed your previous Posts extensively on the Hagerman before purchase. Thank You! Telefunken Smooth Plates are so expensive now from the Trusted Sellers to avoid Counterfeits so the Holland Amperex might be the end of the line for me since they were not cheap. I would like to try a USA variant also and I do not mind keeping some Spares in a Box. I am going to paw around the entrance of the Rabbit Hole but I will not be performing a Complete Dive into the Rabbit Hole regarding the Tubes.

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