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Best mellow sounding 12ax7 for Thor TA-1000 preamp

I just bought  Thor TA-1000 and am very impressed with the resolution but want it to be more mellow sounding... Darker and less treble emphasis. Can anyone recommend the most musical but mellow/organic 12ax7 for the Thor? When I bought it the unit has telefunkens. The outputs are already mullards so I am focused on the inputs.

It is feeding vtl mb-185 signature amps and quad esl63 with vandersteen 2wq subs.

Thanks!
montaldo
schubert
7,386 posts
 
NOS RCA 12ax7 cleartops would fill the bill. As would the Raytheon 5751's mentioned .
xti16
1,525 posts
 
I have to agree with vintage Mullards (haven't heard the new Russian ones) and 5751 especially the RCA black plate.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 
RCA 12AX7 or 5751 BlackPlates have smooth, open sonics. A classic tube sound, less expensive than Mullards.
oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,980 posts
 
For modern production jj ecc83s have a darker tone.  I have a pair of vintage RCA 12ax7a that are very smooth, they have good overall balance, not bright but still have good high frequency extention. ...    
hew's avatar
hew
159 posts
 
I have used Full Music 12ax7 in my TA-1000 for last three years and there is not a hint of brightness. They seem to pair well with a pair of cryoed Mullard 6201 that I also use in the unit.
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