VLA Tube Busted?

[fiddler59]

yup.....one of you tubes is done. The one with the white powder inside the top is toast. Get you a pair of JJ 12at7's and call it a day. You can save the other tubes for when you want to use it in single channel mode for some different color. JJ are not the best, but they are not horrible either.


David Blackmon

[fiddler59]

Avoid the chinese 12at7's. I have not had good luck with them !!!


db

[MrCrowbar]

Yes, that is one busted tube. The tip might have broken off during shipping,
ruining the vacuum (vacuum tubes need vacuum to work). It turns white because the metal coating reacts with the incoming air.

[SWAN808]

any recommendations where I can pick up some tubes in US or Europe? I had a look online and there seemed to be a bewildering array...dont want to get the wrong ones...

[fiddler59]

JJ ECC81 / 12AT7

[fiddler59]

If you want nos 12at7's get in touch with BOWIE......he posts hear on GS often. NOS will cost you more (NOS=new old stock). BOWIE is de man for nos tubes though.

db

[Karloff70]

Originally Posted by SWAN808

any recommendations where I can pick up some tubes in US or Europe? I had a look online and there seemed to be a bewildering array...dont want to get the wrong ones...

You want to talk to BOWIE on this forum! The man knows what he sells, is a very nice human being, and to top it off has a large selection of goodies with good prices. He also knows how to describe the different tubes characters rather well........

edit: lol... seems I was too slow by half hour.......point still stands however!

[Puffer Fish]

another place to get JJ 12AT7:

euro-e

Check out the gold pin version of the tube. I have tried their gold pin tubes and compared them with the standard 12Axx brethren and I felt like the gold pin version of the tubes was always sonically more complex. It is my understanding the gold pin JJ tubes are not JUST the same tube with gold pins, but the interior elements are different as well. Anyway, if you want to go with a new production tube, this is my suggestion.

If you have enough cash, do check out NOS 12AT7 tubes. It has been my ( and many, many other people's) experience that NOS tubes out-perform new production tubes.

And I agree with you about the initial situation... you will need a matching pair of whatever you get to ensure that your stereo image is accurate. That is probably the BEST reason to go with a new production tube, in that the re-seller can test and match a pair for you. Although a good re-seller of NOS tubes should be able to do that as well, but you may end up paying even more for the match. And two different brands will not only likely have a different gain structure, but will also, almost undoubtedly, have a different tonal voice to the signal. So do your best to get a matched pair, wether new production or a NOS set of tubes. Good luck!

[PlugHead]

Originally Posted by fiddler59

If you want nos 12at7's get in touch with BOWIE......he posts hear on GS often. NOS will cost you more (NOS=new old stock). BOWIE is de man for nos tubes though.

db

+1

Great guy: prices can vary, but Christian knows his stuff and is super fast.

Highly recommended!

[D K]

Originally Posted by PlugHead

+1

Great guy: prices can vary, but Christian knows his stuff and is super fast.

Highly recommended!

+2 from here

Gotten tubes from Christian for my VLA II and my UA Solo 610

couldnt be more satisfied - sounds exactly like he described..

He's your guy for tubes..