BE-100 pre-amp section - v1 or v2 for low-noise 12ax7?

[MoosOnAir]

Hey guys,

I purchased two Tung-Sol pre-amp tubes for my BE-100. It came with 2xJJ + 2xARS stock. Just wanted to try 'em out and see how I like the sound. I purchased a "special" v1 (low-noise, etc) 12ax7 and a "normal" 12ax7. Just wondering if v1 is indeed the ideal position to place the low-noise 12ax7?

Reason I ask: I read on this forum that v1 handles HBE/Boost and Clean, but v2 handles the BE channel. Does that mean that v1 is only active when HBE/Boost or Clean are engaged?

Might be a rather stupid question, as I have no clue when it comes to electronics engineering..

 

[atrox]

I'm interested as well. I have a TungSol in v1 and slapped a Mullard CV4004 in V2. That seems to work. Reversing them didn't seem to change a whole lot. I mostly use the HBE channel.

 

[RedPlated]

I put high-grade, low noise tubes in both v1 and v2 of my BE... I use Ruby 12ax7ac5hg+ from Doug's Tubes. They are the highest grade Chinese 12ax7's out there and sound best in the BE, IMO.

Half of v1 is clean, half is HBE. So obviously beneficial to use a low noise tube here. v2 is all BE, so again, use a high grade tube.

Here's the bottom line really....low noise, high-grade, etc...tubes are usually maybe $5 extra. I don't see any reason not to throw them in there.

 

[Superunknown]

All ARS Chinese for me in all of my Friedman's!

 

[mniel8195]

I just did a fresh install on my smallbox. I went with what dave reccomends but switched the jj for a tung sol. Tube amp doctor el34's rubys or tad pres + the tung sol in v1. I preferred the tung sol quite a bit more than the jj. I also like the bias set at as close to 32ma as possible.

 

[RedPlated]

JJ 12ax7's suck the life out of the Friedmans IMO. They are reliable, consistent tubes. I believe that's the only reason they are used in production Friedmans. Chinese sound 100x better.