To Aesthetix users

You can try a quad of Ei 12ax7 tubes at $10 each. I use these in the Aesthetix Io's first stage as I have not yet been able to find a quad of Telefunken or Mullard that are as quiet as these.

Hi Patrick,

FWIW I have had good luck in sensitive Counterpoint products with RAM branded soviet and Yugo tubes from Roger Modjeski. Expensive but may be worth a try in your case.

Let us know how you get on.

Good Luck

I have found that Telefunken ECC83 (12AX7) in the V1 and V2 position significantly reduces noise level and provides incredible transparency.

Another ideal choice would be RCA black plate 12AX7/7025. A matched quad selected for low noise would suit the bill.

Tungsram 12AX7s are way less expensive and also dead quiet.

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Patrick,
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Try writing to Albert Porter directly and see what advice he might have.
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He has been playing wiht Aesthetix and rolling tubes in them for quite a while.
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Patrick,

I'll address to things that you have brought up on this thread. First, the noise problem. I own a Janus and was hearing something very similar to your description. I replaced the 12AX7s in my phono stage with Kevin Deal's Platinum grade GT12AX7Ms ($35 each for lowest noise and microphony). They sound superb and have lowered the noise floor to levels below that of the stock tubes when new. I can't recommend these highly enough. After rolling in Teles, Bugle Boys, and some very nice Mazda chrome plates, it's clear that these GTs are everything that Kevin claims.

Second, I use both a Running Springs Duke and a TG Audio Bybee Sucker line conditioner. I have connected my gear to these in every way you can imagine. Currently, the JC1s are running into the Duke and the Janus and my Ayre player are hooked up to the TG Audio unit (it has full digital/analog isolation). Regardless of what I have done, the one inescapable conclusion is that the Janus benefits enormously from line conditioning.