Metro 12,000 Power Tubes

[Classic 59]

Getting ready to re-tube my amp. What are some of the best power tubes these days? I have been using the EH 6CA7's.

[VelvetGeorge]

I would have loaded it with Mullard reissue EL34's. If you want to use those, contact Laura at Valvequeen. She supplies all the tubes for the Metro-Plex and is awesome.

george

[wangbar]

I would have loaded it with Mullard reissue EL34's. If you want to use those, contact Laura at Valvequeen. She supplies all the tubes for the Metro-Plex and is awesome.

george

What is it that you like about these George? Would you use Mullard 12ax7 pre's too? Just curious.

[GilmourD]

I hear the NewSensor Svetlana EL34s are pretty awesome but I don't have first hand experience. What I do have first hand experience with in a 1959-type circuit are the JJ 6CA7s. Those with JJ ECC803S long-plates... HOLY MOLY! Clear and sweet with a "normal" control config and only missing the Variac for EVH with everything dimed.

I do wanna try the Svets, though, once I get the cash for a quad.

[wdelaney72]

I'd never argue with George....can't go wrong there.

For a different flavor, I've been happy with the Electro-Harmonix 6CA7

[JPA]

Currently JJ's new EL34 II is my favourite tube. Very dynamic and natural sound with lots of headroom. The only thing I'd consider to be better are the SED Winged C EL34 (the old ones). Since they're hard to get at the moment they can be very pricey. But heck, JJs are pretty damn close!

[bill bokey]

Currently JJ's new EL34 II is my favourite tube. Very dynamic and natural sound with lots of headroom.

I tried them last week and thought exactly the opposite !
Compared to the TAD EL34B (made by Shuguang) they lacked headroom. They also had a smoother tone, less bass and not as bright. Not saying they're a bad tube, just not what I needed for that particular amp

[JPA]

I tried them last week and thought exactly the opposite !
Compared to the TAD EL34B (made by Shuguang) they lacked headroom. They also had a smoother tone, less bass and not as bright. Not saying they're a bad tube, just not what I needed for that particular amp

So In what amp did you put the tubes in? I tried the JJ EL34 II in my 100 W Marshall 1959 and in an Engl 50 W rackmount power amp and they kicked ass! In contrast I didn't like the TAD EL34B in these amps Sounded too bright and a little bit cold for my personal taste.

[VelvetGeorge]

There does seem to be common tonal differences between Chinese, Russian and JJ's. I often have a hard time getting Russian tubes with my preferred specs. Poor Valvequeen has to test (and reject) a bunch. And she has to deal with New Sensor. I should feel bad.

I do like the Russian tubes in the MP, but it was designed around them. I'm sure with a few tweaks the JJ's or Chinese would sounds great too.

I use the CV4004 preamp tubes. They are short plate 12AX7 types. You have to go through a bunch to find ones with good gain, low noise and not microphonic, but they do sound really good.

george

[Silmaril]

Is the difference between Mullard CV4004 RI and Mullard 12Ax7 RI big?

[axeman]

The Mullard 12AX7 are actually Solvtek selected 12AX7LPS

[Silmaril]

OK and CV4004 are also Sovtek but shortplate? Are the longplate 12ax7 Mullard RI any good? Maybe in Phase Inverter?