New Telefunken (JJ) Tubes: Anyone going to bite?

Comments? Opinions? Observations?

JJ's aren't my favorite new production tubes (tonally) despite being durable (well, except for their 5AR4, in my experience). In fact, I only use them in one specific model guitar amplifier (preamp section). I also noticed the absence of a long gray plate 12ax7 reissue. I mean, if you were going to "resurrect" Telefunken, wouldn't that be a no brainer? Anyway... just curious if anyone has taken a punt and tried out the 6922's (in say a phono pre) or the 12ax7 in any application. If these are going to be the JJ tone with a Telefunken badge, no need to waste my time/money. If they don't sound like JJ's and are even slightly reminiscent of the Telef tone, I'd probably keep a pair on hand as an "in a pinch" backup to the NOS.

https://www.tubedepot.com/products/telefunken-black-diamond-e88cc-6922

 

I kinda figured that would be your response. I prefer to use these (and others like them that I keep out of anyone's line of sight).

 

Why buy cubic zirconia for $42 when you can get the real deal for $109?

 

Seriously guys, I get it. That pic isn't all of 'em, by any means. Trust me, I keep a large stock of NOS tubes; hunted them down for years. Still, if a new production tube comes along that's got the mojo, I wanna know about it.

 

Nope, I'm done with new production tubes. I hope they get better before the old ones get too scarce.

 

I have no theoretical issue with new production tubes -- I use lots of new production output puts in my guitar amps and really love the sound I've gotten out of TAD 6L6WGC (great reliability and life on those too); and the New Sensor "Tung Sol" 6V6s sound quite nice too; like the Sovtek 12ax7LPS too -- but the practice of trying to give the new production tubes a little class by issuing them under legendary old brand names is more likely to make me suspicious about a tube than want to try the tubes. I'd love to see some great new production tubes in the marketplace, I'd especially love to see some EL34's that could dissipate heat the way the old Blackburn Mullards could. Not holding my breath, unfortunately.

 

Similar experience. At a glance, I thought the tone of the Sovtek 12ax7LPS was pretty decent, quiet and at least bore a slight resemblance to my long gray plate EI's (the silver plates... suck). I keep several of the LPS on hand as backups (same reason I was inquiring about the "new" Telef's). I agree. I would love to see some EL34's that could dissipate heat like the old Blackburns (or several old EL34's for that matter). In addition, with the new production Russian tubes, a grid stop resistor has become required as opposed to optional (in my Marshall Super Leads). I have yet to use Russian EL34s in a hi-fi power amp; so, have no idea how they fare in that application. The cock-eyed optimist in me always likes to hold out a wee bit of hope. I mean a never dreamed so much stuff would ever again be pressed on vinyl, right... ... ...

 

I'm wondering if the new JJ's (Tele) are anything like the new repop Mullards, I've read where a Russian company simply bought the rights to the Mullard name and are printing the logo and name on whatever tube it is that they produce. I bought a pair, they sounded like crap and one did just that, it crapped out at about 50 hours, I pitched the other one...lesson learned

 

I would always assume that it's the case. Whenever a famous brand name is bought out it's going to be exploited for maximum profit. If someone was out to make high dollar kick-ass tubes they'd want to put their own marketing on them, to try to warn off conterfeiters, etc.

 

While it will probably suck for the buyer, presumable at some point NOS tubes will become scarce/pricey enough that making real replicas is cost effective.

 

Me too. Not a great tube and after a short time the getter started fading on one of them. Trash...

The Gold Lion KT77s were good sounding tubes but one crapped out in about a year.... I guess I can't complain too much but I have other NOS tubes that lasted far longer.

A JJ 5AR4 arc'ed over and took out a resistor in my preamp's PS some years ago too.

It seems like most new tubes don't perform well, and even if they do they are not reliable. I can't understand why anyone would buy new tubes when NOS are cheap and readily available, like 6SN7s can be had NOS for cheaper than new and they are all good tubes, even the least desirable NOS tubes are very good.

 

If the "new" Telefunken tubes were produced by the "old" Tesla, hat would be something. However, produced by JJ? No thanks.

 

So were the Telefunken tubes produced by Tesla, labelled Tele or Tesla ?
Where do these fit in ?

http://www.highendtubes.com/preamp-...osnib-tesla-ecc802s12au7ecc82-tubes-p-27.html

 

From what I've seen the truly good NOS tubes are not cheap. There are plenty of cheap NOS tubes which will do; but, the great stuff (that tests good and are not forgeries), I've not found for cheap in any sizable quantity for some years. If you have a source, though, I'd love to know what it is. Seriously.

 

The old Tesla tubes were of similar quality and sound to Telefunken. I don't know if they were ever labeled as Telefunken.

 

Those are very good tubes. 12au7's don't seem to command as high a price tag as 12ax7's. Still, $75.00 for a pair is a steal.

 

Do these guys just stick the name of the old company on them and that's that? They don't produce from the old toolings or anything like that?

 

Cool ..... good to know, thanks.

 

Yes, new Mullards are Russian tubes. JJ's are Czech (IIRC). For stage work (not studio, not hi-fi) I have no problem with either.

For onwards of two years now, I've overdriven (run them hard into an attenuator) the same pair of reissue Russian Mullard EL34s (and a 12ax7 in the V1 position) in my Marshalls without a problem. Tonally, the best? Nope. But, good enough for rock 'n' roll and haven't blown up yet.

 

It's all very ambiguous as in this ad for example they state ....... "Patterned after one of the most durable military grade tubes ever built"
Now does that mean they've at least tried to reproduce something similar to the original or is it purely the label on the tube ?

https://www.tubedepot.com/products/tung-sol-12au7-6189-new-production-preamp-vacuum-tube

 

The more popular tubes can get up there but depending on the tube there can be some great bargains. Pretty much any NOS 6SN7 sounds good, doesn't matter what it is... some better than others for sure but even cheap NOS 6SN7s are good. I'm pretty sure all the 5692s are the same tube and you can find them for under $100/pair if they are not the red-base RCAs, and they are all premium 6SN7 types. Sylvania GTAs are all good and some are very inexpensive too. I also use EL34s and the Japanese tubes made with Mullard tooling can be inexpensive and very good. RFT EL34s are still around $100/pair and XF3 Mullards can go for those prices too especially if they are branded under a different name. Same with the Japanese 5AR4s made with Mullard tooling, good deals can be found on them and copper plate RCAs, and big bottle Sylvanias too. I think you can find decent NOS tubes of all kinds of you can settle for the ones that aren't hyped. Of course many are hyped for good reason, but still...

 

My opinion is it's all marketing BS.

 

The new Mullard 12AX7's is what I had also, glad you're getting along with them, I put a pair in my stereo preamp and the results were less than stellar.

Also tried the EL34's in my amp, they didn't stay in service very long either, not knocking them too much, just not for me.


The best new production tubes I've come across are Psvane, made in China, but not a bad tube if you pop for a "Premium" grade.

 

No.

I'll stick with my vintage RCA, Mullard, Amperex, Philips et al.