Replacement Valves for power Amp

[scroggie]

Hi,

I own a Rothwell power amp that uses ECC83 (12AX7) and EL84 valves. The existing valves have been in use for several years and I want to put in some replacement tubes. I would like to obtain a warm sound without a bright sounding treble. Having read some stuff on the web I still can't find any informative reviews in order to decide what make of valves would be the best to opt for. Any views would be appreciated.

Thanks

Steve

[Sofa1]

Originally Posted by scroggie

Hi,

I own a Rothwell power amp that uses ECC83 (12AX7) and EL84 valves. The existing valves have been in use for several years and I want to put in some replacement tubes. I would like to obtain a warm sound without a bright sounding treble. Having read some stuff on the web I still can't find any informative reviews in order to decide what make of valves would be the best to opt for. Any views would be appreciated.

Thanks

Steve

well, the obvious answer would be get some NOS valves, but it could be pretty expensive ( Mullard, Philips Miniwatt, Telefunken...). other than that, the choice could be some Sovtek, JJ, EI.

well, of the new ECC83 the good choice could be Sovtek 12AX7LPS or EI Elite Gold.
about EL84, EI Elite again, or Sovtek EL84.

they could be found pretty easily, but if you have money and time try to locate some Philips Miniwatt or Siemens 12AX7, maybe Tungsram ECC83.

[Paul Williams]

Originally Posted by scroggie

Hi,

I own a Rothwell power amp that uses ECC83 (12AX7) and EL84 valves. The existing valves have been in use for several years and I want to put in some replacement tubes. I would like to obtain a warm sound without a bright sounding treble. Having read some stuff on the web I still can't find any informative reviews in order to decide what make of valves would be the best to opt for. Any views would be appreciated.

Thanks

Steve

What do you have in there at the moment? Is there anything you would like to change about the sound? How much do you want to spend.

My personal preference for modern tubes would be those from JJ the ECC803's and EL84's.

Paul

[alexs2]

As Paul has suggested,the modern JJ tubes are not only good value,but also well made and sound good into the bargain.

As for older tubes,the Mullards and Tungsrams are excellent,and if you did want to at least ask for prices,try the following..

www.chelmervalve.com

I've always found them very helpful and well priced,plus they have a huge stock of NOS tubes.

[Nic Rhodes]

The EL84 classic recomendations are Mullard, Philips (European) and Telefunken. Look out for Hungarian EL84 by Tungsram as well if you want the same quality for not much money. They are great.

EI one are pretty decent, as are the Sovtek but I would buy the standard one not the military one.

If you want a more hifi sounding one, try some RCAs from USA.

Others seem to have covered ECC83s already and there is stuff on this site already.