dbx 386 tube replacement

[Solafide]

I recently purchased a dbx 386. I am very pleased with the a\d conversion and the preamps are fine but I am not overly impressed with the tube drive. I especially don't like what it does to the mids. I was wondering If anyone had experience replacing tubes (especially with a dbx 386) and could tell me of the difference in sound it made (i.e. is it worth spending money on).

Also, is it a dificult job, or relitively simple.

Thanks in advance.

 

[LocusLarsen]

If it uses 12ax7, then you should be able to get away with either 5751, 12at7, or 12ay7. The later has the most gain reduction. Otherwise just try to find some NOS (new old stock) tubes of 12ax7. Svetlana and Tesla make some good tubes for people that like to swap. Philips supposedly makes a very harmonically rich one. ECC83 is the same as a 12ax7 but with a different name, I think thats what JJ calls them. Of course, you can always shell out for a Mullard.

Some people say you must bias when changing tubes but preamp tube like these don't really need it, just pull them out and plug in some new ones.

 

[chessrock]

T'ung S'ol.

Is that how it's spelled?

 

[Solafide]

LocusLarsen,

Thanks for your reply. I think the dbx 386 uses 12AU7. At least that is what was said in a sound on sound review of this product.
(My manual says nothing about the tubes)

"Following the input selector, 'Drive' amplifier and high-pass filter, the valve stage is based around a familiar 12AU7 double triode."


I was considering some of the NOS tubes. I would be willing to spend the mony on them if there was noticable improvements.

It is good to know that you just pull out the old an put in the new.

Thanks again.

 

[LocusLarsen]

12au can also use 12av7.

The Mullard ECC82 is the same as a 12au7. I am gonna swap out my two 12au7's and my rectifier tube in my SuperReverb amp for Mullards soon.

Checkout the tubestore.com

 

[Richard Monroe]

Send an email or private message to Tom Cram, he's the DBX guy on this board, and he's been quite helpful with my 386.-Richie

 

[echomancer]

Just wondering if anyone figured out a great solution for making these units sound even better. What tube is actually in it, and what tube do I put in it.

Anyone?

 

[darrin_h2000]

I use mullards in my tube stuff as well, Ebay is a good source for them. Ive never tried telefunkens but I hear they are good too.

 

[Track Rat]

I haven't tried one yet but I'm looking for NOS Telefunkens. I know that the 12AX7 sounds more aggressive than the 12AU7. Personally, I'd prefer something less aggressive so that's why I'm looking into the Telefunkens.

 

[toby.I.]

I've got one of the TL ivory pres (the four channel version) which i have taken the cheap slovtech (however its spelt!) valves out and put old mullards in. you know the ones that have been in your marshall for just too long!! Sounds well better.

I think all these hybrid things sound pretty shit when driven to distortion, the TL audio has the valves as a buffer after the solid state pre.

If you can find mullards on EBAY ( there are loads) remember even stuff that isn't NOS could sound pretty good as the older valves were designed to work for longer than the ones in production today.