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12AX7 tube alternatives for Jolida JD-100

After using Mullard, Telefunken and Amperex 12AX7s, I've substituted 5751 command series blackplate, 12AU7WA, GE5814 and 6414 Raytheon blackplate, a 12AT7 variant.

I thought the 5751 was nice with lower gain and warmth, but still had grain that smears sound.

The AU7 and its variant was too sterile.

I'm impressed with the 6414. Focused sound, holographic, good bottom to top presentation without being too edgy.

Anyone else tried something like this?
128x128wharfy
andarilu
23 posts
 
Using Raytheon 5751s in my Jolida. Very nice.
thorman
1,262 posts
 
Sylvania 5751 3 Mica Black plates...in my Thor linestage .....Awesome tube......
rooski
37 posts
 
I've tried a few of the popular old and new 12ax7/5751 tubes in my JD100, and in the long run, I stuck with the new Sovtek 12ax7lps. Maybe not the best overall tone, but the dynamics are much closer to "lifelike", over anything I've tried. And, they're very quiet.

Some people claim the earlier production ones are better then the newer ones. Mine are year 2000.

An old tube equipment builder/tech suggested to me to try some 12BZ7's, for some real dynamics, but I'm not sure how the JD100 would react to the additional draw, and since they are taller, I don't think they would clear the top cover.
abucktwoeighty's avatar
abucktwoeighty
1,079 posts
 
I tried the Sylvania 5751 triple mica black plate and loved the richness, but not the heavy bottom end. Went back to the Svetlana 12ax7's until someone posted something about the Chinese Full Music 12ax7's. I bought a pair for around 70 dollars, and found they were very comparable to the Sylvanias, but balanced across the board in my system. Sold the Sylvanias, love the Full Music!
aplhifi
515 posts
 
I'd also consider ECC803S

Best,

Alex Peychev
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