Best replacement for the Sovitek 12AX7 tube for my Presonus TubePre

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adclark

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I understand that the sovitek is a basic cheap tube. What brand would show an overall improvement (I like tubey sound) with low noise? Groove Tubes? Electroharmonix?
 
I honestly don't think any tube subsitution would make a difference in that preamp.... there's simply not enough voltage present to 'drive' it...
 
adclark said:
I understand that the sovitek is a basic cheap tube. What brand would show an overall improvement (I like tubey sound) with low noise? Groove Tubes? Electroharmonix?
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Look for the Slovak ECC83S made by JJ Electronic. It is a very good copy of the Telefunken ECC803S.

I replaced two 12AX7s in a PAIA mic pre with two ECC83s. Low noise, no microphonics, Rich bottom end and silky smooth highs -- Excellent!

It made a huge difference even in the starved-plate design of the PAIA.

-Tim :)
 
Been there, done that. Swapping tubes is a waste of time-nothing is gonna make the Tubepre sound warm. The ART stuff does the cheap tube thing better, IMO. The TubePAC is especially nice as a bass DI.
 
TNO said:
Been there, done that. Swapping tubes is a waste of time-nothing is gonna make the Tubepre sound warm. The ART stuff does the cheap tube thing better, IMO. The TubePAC is especially nice as a bass DI.
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TNO, not to knock your opinion, but my experience was just the opposite. I had a Tube PAC a while ago and absolutely hated it, although I didn't use it as a DI. I didn't like it with any of my mics, though, and it didn't sound warm to me at all. (The "industry" seems to equate distortion with warmth, but I totally disagree.)

On the other hand, I got a TubePre a few months ago, and while it isn't exactly "da bomb", I used it between my pod and computer and I thought it warmed up the sound a bit. Haven't used it as a mike pre yet.

Anyway, I know it could be a quality control issue, or maybe just the fact that everyone hears something different.
 
From what I've read on the web, The tubpre is about as good as any $100 tube preamp. I could not hear much of a difference between the DMP3 and the regular pres on my firebox. The tubePre does add a bit of color to the overall sound. I may still get a brick before it's over and done with.
 
Beck said:
Look for the Slovak ECC83S made by JJ Electronic. It is a very good copy of the Telefunken ECC803S.
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I'll second this. The JJ/Tesla tubes are great, and they will make a difference even in your starved-plate "toob" pre. I would go with the ECC83s and not the 803s. They can be ordered online here:

http://store.triodestore.com/
 
adclark said:
I understand that the sovitek is a basic cheap tube. What brand would show an overall improvement (I like tubey sound) with low noise? Groove Tubes? Electroharmonix?
Click to expand...

It won't do anything significant to improve the tone, since your pre isn't running full plate voltage.
 
I have an Art MP StudioV3 mic pre

I am thinking of swapping tube. Which do you think is best for me ? Groove ? JJ ECC803s or JJECC 83s ? Thanks
 
Some people are giving away 15" computer monitor and Broken 27 inch TV . Do you think I could find a 12AX7 tube in these ? Thanks.
 
As a general rule, swapping tubes in starved plate gear will have little to no impact. YMMV some but mostly there will only be minor changes in sonics.

Bob the Mod Guy.
 
Bob's Mods said:
As a general rule, swapping tubes in starved plate gear will have little to no impact. YMMV some but mostly there will only be minor changes in sonics.

Bob the Mod Guy.
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My experience doesn't coincide with that, and I suppose I don't understand the theory. If starved plate causes saturation at abnormally low gain, why doesn't the nature of that saturation matter? Isn't a tewb pre basically designed as a harmonic distortion generator with some opamps for actual gain?

Anyway, I was very happy replacing the stock tubes in my ART with vintage GEs and Sylvanias. The NOS stuff can be expensive, but the plain old stuff is cheap on eBay.
 
Yep

mshilarious said:
My experience doesn't coincide with that, and I suppose I don't understand the theory. If starved plate causes saturation at abnormally low gain, why doesn't the nature of that saturation matter? Isn't a tewb pre basically designed as a harmonic distortion generator with some opamps for actual gain?

Anyway, I was very happy replacing the stock tubes in my ART with vintage GEs and Sylvanias. The NOS stuff can be expensive, but the plain old stuff is cheap on eBay.
Click to expand...

+1 on that view...I got VERY noticeable differences when rolling tubes for both the Tube pre and the ART tube PAC.

I settled on JJ Groove's for my Tube Pre's and a mix for the Tube PAC...for the compressor section of the Tube PAC (and the Levelar unit) - I prefer 5751 (JAN NOS Philips type)...

These tubes made noticeable, significant changes (for the better) in my equipment.

Take care,
Jay
 
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