hello...I OWN THIS pre-amp. i;m using 4 mullard 12at7 tubes and 2 Telefunken smooth plates..all are matched.Keven deal at upscale audio sell the 12at7s...call him...
I am currently running two NOS Tung Sol grey plate 12ax7 in my TL5.5. I have also had very good results with Mullard CV4004s. The Tung Sols have a little more punch in the bottom end than the Mullards and are almost as refined in the top end. I would say they are equally good in the mid range. I needed a little more control in the bass in my system and the Tung Sols gave me a boost in that respect. Otherwise I probably would have stuck with the Mullards. I have also used Telefunken ECC83s in the 12ax7 spot. These have a beautiful silky sound, the mid range is to die for but it was a little too laid back in the high end and the dynamics were not as good as the other tubes I have tried. They would be a good bet if your system was a little too strident on the top end. I might use them in my phono section if my Sumiko Blue point doesn't smooth out more in the top end. As for the 12AT7s I have an older version that uses 6350s instead of 12AT7s but I do use Sylvania 6201s in the 12AT7 spot in my VTL ST150. I liked those and Mullard CV4024s. The Sylvanias gave a little more bass punch than the Mullards. I am currently using the Mullards, both the CV4004s and the CV4024 in the phono section of the TL5.5 with outstanding results.
I have not tried them yet but I have been tempted to get some Groove Tube 12AX7M. These are suposed to be as near an exact copy of an old Mullard 12AX7 as any new production tube has gotten so far. I have read reviews from people I respect say great things about these. The price is quite a bit more palatable than some of the NOS stuff.
Many thanks guys. Have been considering Amperex tubes for both spots, but may look into the English Mullard & Telefunken range of tubes. Nice systems you guys got; My system: Wadia 301 cdp, VTL 5.5 pre, M/F XP200 mono block amps, Chario speakers, A/Q Cheetah ICs, A/Q Sterling spk cables, PS Audio power cords & Ultimate Outlets AC filters.
I just purchased a 5.5. I am new to tubes. I have a Spectral preamp and the bass is incredible. I've found the TL 5.5 to be very thin in the bass.
It came with the following compliment of tubes:
Line Level; 4 - JAN 12AT7 WC, Phillips ECG & 2 - 7025/12AX7 WA Sovtek 0302.
Phono stage; 4 - 12AX7 China & 2 - JAN 12AT7 WC, Phillips ECG. I have not had the opportunity to listen to the phono stage as yet and the line level portion is my concern for now.
My tuber friends are telling me that I need to replace the tubes with more bass rich tubes.
The information above is very useful. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
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