2. amps-preamps
  3. 190421-3592

Gold Lion AX7 in tube preamp

Bought a set of these for my tube preamp thinking it might be a nice upgrade. It’s not. They seem to have very high gain and the frequency response is just bad. Vocals are very forward and if you turn things up it gets pretty piercing. I was thinking this would be a warmish preamp tube. What is the break in time and does it really make much difference? They probably have about 40-50 hours of preamp on time. I put the old Tungsols back in and all is good again. 

mofojo
glennewdick's avatar
glennewdick
1,729 posts
 

It took mine about 200hours before they sounded great, after the break in they were some of the best new production tubes I've encountered specially for the money. they are not an overly warm sounding tube more neutral then most. 

mofojo OP
2,307 posts
 

@glennewdick ,

 

Did they sound anything like I’m describing before full breakin? It would have to get pretty night and day better for me to be happy with them. 

paulcreed
566 posts
 

If your talking 12ax7’s I believe they make one from Mexico and one from Russia. The Russians being the better of the 2 I’ve heard.  I had some Russian ones that came stock with an amp I bought. They were pretty good for new production.

 

They tend to share sonics with Telefunkens not as good but resemble each other. When I pulled the gold lions and put in the Telefunkens that’s when you see the big difference. First thing I noticed was sound stage then how much more natural the Telefunkens were and I’ve never thought of Teles being relaxed and natural. 
 

You really notice a difference when you compare the GL to the Mazda, mullards, RCA’s, Tungsram and others but you would expect this comparing new production to vintage. For a new tube I think they are pretty good but there not cheap either. You can buy used vintage 12ax7 that test new for the price of the Gold Lion.

yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,777 posts
 

What tube preamp are you using?

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