12AX7 V2

[boost]

I know this is going to be broad and suggestive, but generally what brand/type of tubes work well in the V2 slot on a high gain head?

I have heard the Sovtek LPS works well in the V3 (PI slot)

People mention using a good NOS in V1

What about V2? I have heard some tubes should not be used in V2 or as a cathode follower.

So in general, what can be used in that spot and what should be avoided? I know every amp is different and it is also subjective to the tone you prefer, but I'm just curious as to what people have in this position.

For reference, I have a Budda SD80 and was not digging the recommended Sovteks in there. I have some different ones in there now that I like, but I'm looking for more options to try.

Thanks.

 

[blackba]

Every amp will be different. What I have done with a good number of my amps is to start with V1, swap in 4 or 5 tubes, write down and/or record the each tube in V1. Pick your favorite, then move to V2, etc.

Chinese, JJ, Sovtek, Tung Sol RI, EH 12AX7's are not that expensive, and the ones you don't use become your backups.

 

[boost]

Every amp will be different. What I have done with a good number of my amps is to start with V1, swap in 4 or 5 tubes, write down and/or record the each tube in V1. Pick your favorite, then move to V2, etc.

Chinese, JJ, Sovtek, Tung Sol RI, EH 12AX7's are not that expensive, and the ones you don't use become your backups.

I do this, but I thought there were some tubes that shouldn't be used in certain spots. I'm more concerned what shouldn't be used in a slot. I don't want something going down on me after a few hours because the tube couldn't handle it.

Am I wrong on this? Maybe I should just swap away and not worry about them?

 

[hellaboogie]

I have a couple of amps that respond very different to the same tube, you really have to see what works best for you and your amp

 

[LP Freak]

Nobody ever talks about Mullards around here. They always sounded good in my Budda. So did Tungsols.

 

[daveg62]

very hard to recommend anything really. I have quite a few nos tubes and new production. Every amp is different and also depends on the combination you use. I like a nos Tungsram 12ax7 in v2 (r2 gain) of my mark III, nos mullard or RFT 12ax7 in v3 (lead gain). I like the Sovtek lps in the PI spot, but nowhere else.
Biggest question is what does v2 do in the Budda? Is it the lead gain stage or what?

 

[hopkinWFG]

Nobody ever talks about Mullards around here. They always sounded good in my Budda. So did Tungsols.

reissued mullards ?

 

[LP Freak]

Nobody ever talks about Mullards around here. They always sounded good in my Budda. So did Tungsols.

reissued mullards ?

Yep

 

[Greazygeo]

Just use Chinese 12ax7B's......save yourself a bunch of time and hassle. They work, have good gain and are low noise. Oh and they are cheap.

 

[blackba]

Every amp will be different. What I have done with a good number of my amps is to start with V1, swap in 4 or 5 tubes, write down and/or record the each tube in V1. Pick your favorite, then move to V2, etc.

Chinese, JJ, Sovtek, Tung Sol RI, EH 12AX7's are not that expensive, and the ones you don't use become your backups.

I do this, but I thought there were some tubes that shouldn't be used in certain spots. I'm more concerned what shouldn't be used in a slot. I don't want something going down on me after a few hours because the tube couldn't handle it.

Am I wrong on this? Maybe I should just swap away and not worry about them?

Its the cathode follower stage that some tubes don't do well in. Not all amps have a cathode follower stage, so yes it is important to know if you Budda has one or not and if so what Tube that corresponds to.

If you can find a link to a schematic, we can check. From what I understand you don't want to use a sovtek LPS or Tung Sol REissue in a Cathode follower stage.

http://www.freewebs.com/valvewizard/accf.html

 

[hopkinWFG]

Nobody ever talks about Mullards around here. They always sounded good in my Budda. So did Tungsols.

reissued mullards ?

Yep

I have gotten myself one mullards reissued..nonetheless I didnt pop it in my v1 as I have gotten myself a tungsol in v1 to replace the stock sovtek wb.. and I have gotten a shuguang from changsha hunan the "bthe" at my PI which said to be more gain and less noise.. my gain structure then boldens up in more gain warm and depth..

was told the goldlion would be good but not trying out yet ...

heard mullards has pretty large plates it maybe microphonic or noisier?
maybe I should try it at v1 for more even out tones and rest for a shuguang "b"

 

[LP Freak]

Nobody ever talks about Mullards around here. They always sounded good in my Budda. So did Tungsols.

reissued mullards ?

Yep

I have gotten myself one mullards reissued..nonetheless I didnt pop it in my v1 as I have gotten myself a tungsol in v1 to replace the stock sovtek wb.. and I have gotten a shuguang from changsha hunan the "bthe" at my PI which said to be more gain and less noise.. my gain structure then boldens up in more gain warm and depth..

was told the goldlion would be good but not trying out yet ...

heard mullards has pretty large plates it maybe microphonic or noisier?
maybe I should try it at v1 for more even out tones and rest for a shuguang "b"

I never had an issue with noise using a Mullard. It's worth a shot.

 

[hopkinWFG]

mullards at your v1 ? does it have more gain in it ? I haven try it yet but you may wanna share usyour experience with mullards? I heard its pretty much an even out tube ?

 

[LP Freak]

mullards at your v1 ? does it have more gain in it ? I haven try it yet but you may wanna share usyour experience with mullards? I heard its pretty much an even out tube ?

I get a nice beefy tone in V1 in my Marshalls. The gain seems to be up there with Tungsols.

 

[Ventura]

mullards at your v1 ? does it have more gain in it ? I haven try it yet but you may wanna share usyour experience with mullards? I heard its pretty much an even out tube ?

I get a nice beefy tone in V1 in my Marshalls. The gain seems to be up there with Tungsols.

Did you ever find the Tungs to be a bit bright sounding? Overall, I went through a phase a couple years back of just slappin' Tung Sols into every slot of my amps. They were solid, consistent, reliable, had great longevity, and weren't overly expensive. But when I changed back to some other "usual suspects", I was graced with less brittleness in the EQ of the preamp. Who knows, maybe I was just losing my shit.

 

[blackba]

mullards at your v1 ? does it have more gain in it ? I haven try it yet but you may wanna share usyour experience with mullards? I heard its pretty much an even out tube ?

I get a nice beefy tone in V1 in my Marshalls. The gain seems to be up there with Tungsols.

Did you ever find the Tungs to be a bit bright sounding? Overall, I went through a phase a couple years back of just slappin' Tung Sols into every slot of my amps. They were solid, consistent, reliable, had great longevity, and weren't overly expensive. But when I changed back to some other "usual suspects", I was graced with less brittleness in the EQ of the preamp. Who knows, maybe I was just losing my shit.

I find Tung Sol reissues to be bright in general and JJ's to be dark. That is why I like to mix and match the preamp tubes in my amp, I have generally not had great luck with going with all of one brand throughout the amp.

 

[LP Freak]

mullards at your v1 ? does it have more gain in it ? I haven try it yet but you may wanna share usyour experience with mullards? I heard its pretty much an even out tube ?

I get a nice beefy tone in V1 in my Marshalls. The gain seems to be up there with Tungsols.

Did you ever find the Tungs to be a bit bright sounding? Overall, I went through a phase a couple years back of just slappin' Tung Sols into every slot of my amps. They were solid, consistent, reliable, had great longevity, and weren't overly expensive. But when I changed back to some other "usual suspects", I was graced with less brittleness in the EQ of the preamp. Who knows, maybe I was just losing my shit.

They can be. Depends on the amp.... pretty much like any tube.

 

[hopkinWFG]

cool ill try out mullards soon..does anyone do genelex goldlion at v1 yet any yield?

 

[Mr. Willy]

Just use Chinese 12ax7B's......save yourself a bunch of time and hassle. They work, have good gain and are low noise. Oh and they are cheap.

+1. Great all around tube. FWIW, after experimenting with my 2204, I liked a 9th Gen Chinese in V1, and a NOS JAN-PHILLIPS in V2. The JP in V1 was a bit too smooth. The Chinese added crispness and attack. Also got a 9th Gen Chinese in the Phase Inverter slot.

Don't like Sovtek or JJ preamp tubes at all, YMMV.

 

[Ventura]

cool ill try out mullards soon..does anyone do genelex goldlion at v1 yet any yield?

Mega good glass.

Outfitted my entire Mak4 with these ECC type preamps. Wasn't cheap, but they're incredible in all sockets. I bought a few thinking I'd mix and match, ended up putting them in every socket except the clean channel in which I used a Jan Philips NOS.

Very very nice glass.