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Tube upgrade options for Dodge 8 preamplifier?

We recently purchased a Dodge 8 tube preamplifier:
http://www.doge-audio.com/products/doge%208.htm

The Dodge 8 comes with (4) 12AT7 and (4) 12AX7 Chinese tubes. I've read Chinese tube are not great sounding because they tend to be too bright.
Any thoughts on this?

Also, the recommended tubes for the Dodge 8, according to reviewers, are NOS RCA 12AT7's and 12AX7's; much warmer sound.
Would you agree or disagree?

All suggestions are accepted and appreciated.

Thanks!
loove
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,938 posts
 
To answer your question about the RCA tubes. Obviously, there are many variations. I have found them okay but flawed. They seem a little constricted. If they were a wine, they'd be Malbec.
ryriken66
47 posts
 
Agree, the RCA 12ax7 BP are very nice. Also Sylvania 12at7 BP are nice too. Westinghouse 12at7 also good. Plenty old tubes that test good are out there.
qdrone
1,039 posts
 
Have you heard the pre amp? Does it sound bright to you? Just curious.
chayro
3,010 posts
 
I suggest you listen to it for a few months and get it broken in before making changes. You might even like it.
jeenam
131 posts
 
I own a Doge 8 and installed Genalex Gold Lion 12AT7 tubes. I've been running the GL tubes in preamps for ~4 years and have always enjoyed their sound. They are very well balanced and fairly well extended on the high and low end. Bass is not overly bloated and comes across as quite full, though the high end may seem slightly rolled off. Note that when I say rolled off, it's not severe like JJ Tesla tubes. Considering the Doge 8 is so transparent, trimming a little off the high end works well.

Ditch the stock chinese tubes as soon as you can. would you buy a Porsche and put crappy tires on it?
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