Topic: Tube Rolling: 12AU7, 12AX7, and KT88/6550

[jurgenestanislao]

Guys,

Relatively new to tubes, and just came out a tad bit confused with all the different takes (here and elsewhere), not to mention blogs and articles, about the "best" (in my opinion everything's just 'different') preamp and power tubes.

I definitely agree that all output is relative to one's ears and one's system, but generally speaking my goal is to enhance my amplifier's mid range. I listen mostly to Jazz/Soul, Ballads, and Soft Rock, all of which have vocals.

My amplifier is equipped with quad Chinese KT88s, a pair of 12ax7s, and a pair of 12au7s.

Any recommendations on how to achieve this?

Thanks!

JTE

[CoolTOYZPH]

^ best is to find a fellow tube user and borrow tubes for home audition. It is the most economical way to find the desired Sound Quality without too much damaged to the pocket.

[tony]

if you have money to burn....roll away...
but i suggest live with your gear for a while,
say 3 months and then start your moves....

the most important opinion you will ever get is what your own ears will tell you,
you alone will decide what is best for yourself...

[jurgenestanislao]

if you have money to burn....roll away...
but i suggest live with your gear for a while,
say 3 months and then start your moves....

the most important opinion you will ever get is what your own ears will tell you,
you alone will decide what is best for yourself...

I couldn't agree more. I decided to let it set and let myself adapt to it first to see if there's really something I'm looking for.

[tony]

if there is something you are looking for in your amp, then maybe you should not have gotten that amp in the first place....

it may not even be your amp for all you know....the amp is but a link in your audio chain....
i have seen many here rolling tubes and then selling them afterwards, even selling the amp, hazzle yan imho....

do you gain tube knowledge by tube rolling? i doubt it...you will just end up holding a bag of tubes....

[parasound]

Try to look for NOS Mullard or Telefunken 12Au7, 12ax7 & NOS Genelex KT88 - http://vacuumntubes.com/gec-genelex-gold-lion-kt88-tube-nosnib-the-real-thing-rare

[qguy]

I had an amp with chinese tubes,  the mids and highs were a pain in the @$$ este ears pala. I replaced them with New Production  Tungsol 6550  and Gold Lion KT88  Night and Day difference. Forget getting NOS power tubes, they cost an arm and a leg, the newer production ones are relatively inexpensive and east to find

[dodie]

try the psvane tubes. available at audio amplified..... kt88 quad is 20k i think and the pair of both 12ax &12au will set u back by another 8k. for 28th para ka ng may bagong gear

imho, its worth the roll

[CoolTOYZPH]

I own psvane tubes. They are clean sounding and dynamic. Very near to SS sound.
But preference is warm and mellow with a hint of distortion for that added drama... NOS/Vintage 50's=60's tubes suits my taste better.
At the end of the day, it is a matter of preference.

[tony]

it is a matter of preference.

indeed it is, and if you convince yourself that chinese tubes are junk,
then you are it...be ready to spend big bucks....
but i know many here, 28k to them is peanuts, loose change...

Very near to SS sound.

in that case SS is still superior...

[jurgenestanislao]

Lots of interesting suggestions.

I'm generally happy with my amplifier to be honest. I guess what I'm saying is that I'm currently satisfied.

Reason why I asked is because it's always interesting to learn or at the least have an idea how other things perform if you tweak them. I'm also into analogue photography and it's pretty similar to trying out different lenses and film to see which one really suits you best.

Thanks for all the suggestions!

P.S. Php 28k to me is no loose change. Hahaha!

[xbase]

sir, baka combination ng amp + speaker para ma achieve mo un gusto mo...