Need 12AX7 Tube Recommendation

I have the Fosgate Signature Headphone amp and I've been thinking of swapping the stock 12AX7's for a premium tubes. I was never a person that used anything but manufacturer's supplied tubes but since I swapped the 6922 that came in my CJ preamp for a Telefunken Platinum tube and heard a big difference, I've rethought my position.
I've had the Fosgate for a year now and finally found a use for it so I'd like to try substituting the stock tubes with something better. Can anyone recommend some good sounding tubes? I'd like to keep the price to $100 or less per tube. Thanks

 

I like the Psvane 12AX7 - under $100 a pair.

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue51/shuguang.htm

 

I like the sound of the Gold Lions in some of my stuff and the JJ's in other stuff. I think these two are great representatives of tubes that both sound great, but a bit different. 12AX7's are not terribly pricey so you can experiment a bit!

 

I like Genalex Gold Lion reissues for a new tube and the RCA black plates for a vintage tube.

 

Amperex bugle boy/ delta code fan here. Very detail sound. Look for Hammond branded tubes. Get it cheaper than the cartoon labeled amperexes. Also Tung sol 5751's are a nice treat.

 

The usual suspects for 12 AX7s are Amperex, Mullard, Telefunken and GE Longplates. The only current/recent production 12AX7 tube that I find even remotely in the ballpark is the Sovtek LPS. However the Sovtek LPS should be cherrypicked for low noise.

 

The Genalex reissues are very good. They have a similar sonic signature to the Sovtek LPS, except for that the sound is significantly more refined.

 

I've got a trio of NOS GE 6681s listed in Classifieds. The 6681 is a 12AX7 designed for use in mobile communications/industrial gear, has a ruggedized filament, made to withstand frequent on/off cycles - for not much more than current production, you can try out some quality U.S.A. tubes from the Golden Age of production...

 

Thanks for the input, with a couple of you mentioning the Genalex Gold Lion's, I just ordered a pair. Thanks!

 

So, what are the stock 12AX7's then?

jeff

 

Take it from most here they have nailed it for good tubes. I replaced my cheepo Chinese tubes with NOS Medical grade Amperex-1960 , Long Plate Mullard- 1956, and Telefunken smoothplates- circa 1959-61.
The conventional versions of these tubes which are Amperex 12ax7, Mullard I61 12ax7, and Telefunken smoothplate 12ax7 are border line 100 dollars give or take. Medical grade, Longplate (exception Telefunken) Mullards are the more expensive, anywhere from 150 -400 dollars, whoa!
Have fun learn alittle if you are a novice and find a reputable dealer with return gaurantee. Take care, John M.

 

What do they go in?

 

Also...RCA gray plates sound pretty good. Has the orange writing on them and has the "A" at the end. A sleeper of a tube, but has a really good sound. If you come across some NOS, jump on them.

 

Stay away from sylvania and GE. Nasty little fu€kers.

 

Fosgate headphone amp

 

Mulllard 10M or older square getter 12AX7's.
The 10M's are rare and costly but they're out there.
Older smooth plate Telefunken.
Or 1955 RCA NOS from Brent Jessee, beautifully balanced and matched $99 each.
Sophias are worth a try as well.
Some people like Raytheon.

 

That depends on many factors including what you are putting them in, and the sound you are trying to achieve, and your personal preferences. The fact is that some tubes which sound lousy in certain pieces of equipment can sound heavenly in others. There is no one best tube.

 

I think your going to quite enjoy them. I swapped in 4 gold lions into my Rogue Ares and was quite happy from the first minute they were in. Even had a slight improvement after getting some hours on them.

 

I love the JJ's in the Rogue Cronos Magnum, but Like the Gold Lions in my ProJect Tubebox and SP16. IF I don't sell the SP16, I may try the JJ's in it just for grins. I think I like them both better than the EH that came from ARC.

 

The old joke that I heard was GE = Garbage Enclosed. Of course its not 100% true - I've heard some good GE tubes but the 12AX7s I'be heard are not among my favorite.

Of course tube rolling likes depends on your own personal listening habits. I, for example, really like the "caramel" qualities of the long-plate and even the short-plate Mullards. Telefunken really works in certain types of gear too - it was great in the linestage of my Quicksilver, helping to give a little more energy.

Also be on the lookout for Rogers (usually made in Canada) tubes. And I'm also a big fan of Amperex.

Personally I've never heard a new production tube that can come close to the best of the vintage stuff but, as usual, YMMV. When I plugged in new "Gold Lions" in my system, I really liked them - at first. And then I went back to vintage Mullards and realized the GL's sounded a little more forward/edgy and two-dimensional. Their sound, however, could work in some stereos.

 

NOS Ei tubes can be had for more reasonable prices.

 

I've had mixed results withe Ei. Seems like they went south on me faster than a TFK eVer did. Maybe had a bad run of luck.

 

Interesting to know. I believe mine were from the late ’60s. Came from Brent Jessie and I paid to get them very well matched. Maybe I'll have a good run.

 

One of the best pairs of 12AX7 varients I have are Sylvania 5751 Triple Mica,Black Plate, [] Getter. NOT cheap, but a great tube.

 

Actually black plate Sylvania D-getters are pretty much my go-to 12ax7. They always sound great in every context -- from guitar amps to hifi. Extended at the frequency extremes, very dynamic, just a great, balanced sounding tube. But I'd love it if everyone else stayed away from them.