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12ax7's to roll

Happy Holidays A'goners. I have a Rogue Cronus Magnum that I bought from Agon. I love it and I'm curious about tube rolling. A very reputable tube source that most tube fans in the U.S. would be familiar with, recommended replacing my 12ax7's with Telefunken 12ax7's. They're really expensive as far as I'm concerned. I'm not wealthy and have kids in college. I could certainly swing it but is there other alternatives that cost less than $230 for a matched pair that will give me a good tube rolling experience? I currently have Sylvanias and I love the sound. I'm just curious as I've never tube rolled in my life.
donjr
tomcy6's avatar
tomcy6
2,636 posts
 
Your Sylvanias are good tubes and you may have trouble finding something that you prefer.

Telefunkens are considered to be the ultimate neutral, detailed NOS (and very long lived). Amperex are reputed to have the best, most natural midrange. Mullard are considered warm and less detailed. These are all generalizations which may not be true in your system.

I would do a search for tube dealers and talk to one of the good ones about what changes you would like to hear from a new set of tubes. A good dealer's experience is invaluable as tube rolling can be an expensive crapshoot.
thorman
1,262 posts
 
If you like what you have save your money and take your kids out for Pizza!!! Telefunkens are not for everyone..Keep the Sylvanias and enjoy the music...
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andr
109 posts
 
I agree with Tomcy6. Have a look at this : http://www.audioasylum.com/scripts/d.pl?audio/faq/joes-tubes.html

If you are satisfied with the actual sound of the Rogue, you don't have to go for the most expensive tubes simply because you are curious.

I personnally tried many combinations, especially with 5751 tubes (alternative to 12AX7) recommended in the above mentioned review and had a lot of fun. For instance, it is still possible to get NOS 5751s from the 50's, black plated 3 micas for low noise at 60-80 $ a pair.

Regards !
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