Replacing my Drawmer 1968 tubes?

[HABBER]

Originally Posted by Agno

I haven't opened it but I've noticed that it's starting to lose detail in the high to hi-mids.... more than I remember it ever doing. Any suggestions on what tubes to get? And what are they? Russian 12AX7/ECC83's? I'd like to know your results with NOS or even just tubes that are in production. But I think I'd be fine with new stock.

Thanks!

I'm interested as well. I'll bet the Mercenary guys could give advice. They were pretty wrapped up in this unit.

Is yours a mercenary edition?

[Agno]

Originally Posted by HABBER

I'm interested as well. I'll bet the Mercenary guys could give advice. They were pretty wrapped up in this unit.

Is yours a mercenary edition?

yessir it is. As far as I know the 1968 only comes as a "Mercenary Edition".

[Doc Mixwell]

Originally Posted by Agno

yessir it is. As far as I know the 1968 only comes as a "Mercenary Edition".

That is correct. From the manufacture, they are stamped with the Mercenary Edition nomenclature.

I feel there is absolutely not a reason in the world to open this unit, and change the toooobs, unless they need to be changed, and you are a authorized Drawmer technician. Maybe you can contact them to service your unit.

The 1968 is a Great box! But its not a magical toob coloring crayon. Its a compression tool with some "life" on the outputs.

[Sean Sullivan]

I don't think think there is a single piece of tube gear I've owned where I haven't experimented with tubes, and 99% it makes an improvement or at least a "change" that may or may not be what you are looking for.

Telefunken's are usually the most "hi-fi" and "detailed" with great top end, so I like to use them in preamps for vocals. Mullard's have the good low end and amazing mid-range, so I find them stellar in guitar amplifiers. RCA/GE sounds "thick" to me, sort of a syrupy sound, great for taming brightness in things like Fender amplifiers.

[mixedupsteve]

If it's Drawmer I bet it's got nice tubes in it. But I've done my share of tube rolling and the new JJs sound kind of bold and the EHs sound cleaner. I like them both.
If the tube sockets are just soldered into the PCB then be carefull when pulling on the tubes so you don't mess that joint up.

[Melodicca]

In my experience about 25 years with tube preamps and amps, TungSol are a great improve always.
Higher output, mids with fat sound, sweet and wonderful highs.

Here a video with a very simple preamp showing the great and higher output vs other brands:
Volumen12AX7.avi - YouTube