Just ordered some 5881, preamp tube advice needed

  • Thread starter Thread starter Mcgas
  • Start date Start date
M

Mcgas

New member
HI Guys...ordered some tung sol 5881 and Winged c el34, since they are highly regarded here.....if I want to experiment with the chinese 12ax7b tubes in the preamp of SL2, do I need to order 2 valves for v1 and v2, or will u hear a diff with just 1 valve in v1? dont know whether to get 1 or 2 thrown in... thx...Macka
 
You can never have too many pre amp tubes....... :lol: :LOL: :D

I'd get two for sure. You never know, may need to try one in another module. Or two in the SL2. V1 will make the most impact, so I'd give that a try first.
 
Buckeyedog":2j2vks9j said:
You can never have too many pre amp tubes....... :lol: :LOL: :D

I'd get two for sure. You never know, may need to try one in another module. Or two in the SL2. V1 will make the most impact, so I'd give that a try first.
Click to expand...
+1!!The chinese in the SL2 is awesome and a few other modules as well :thumbsup:
 
Yea, I'd say load up as much as possible. The more combinations you have the easier it is to find a duo that works for you. I beleive I hear a difference when changing either of the tubes, v1 or v2. Mostly though I like to keep v2 something nuetral/consistent and play with swapping out v1 to get closer to what I want. I like a good old Electro-Harmonix in v2 as my base. Then I make changes to v1 by trying Tung Sol, JJ & other vintage tubes such as Mullard, Tekefunken, GE etc. until I hear what I like.
 
I always put the same tubes in both v1 and v2 in my modules, but thats probably because Im OCD and need consistency in there.

SL2 + Chinese is totally killer, DO IT!
 
EWSEthan":sl8wp591 said:
I always put the same tubes in both v1 and v2 in my modules, but thats probably because Im OCD and need consistency in there.

SL2 + Chinese is totally killer, DO IT!
Click to expand...

I used to do a lot of tube trying, and I'm doing more and more the same 2 tubes in each module.

SL, SL2, EG3/4/5 with Chinese is friggin AWESOME!
 
Another great alternative preamp tube IMO are hand selected (High Gain) JJ 12AX7's. Get them from eurotubes.com. They have great sustain, gain and offer more low end and detail. Just a fuller sound. Chinese sound good with a ton of gain but can also be a bit thinner sounding. or Tung-sol's for over the top Crunch, high gain, fullness but still don't sustain as the JJ's. I've gone through many and always end up back to the high gain JJ's. They usually read about 114/115mv and have to be individually tested and pulled from stock. I use them in most high gain modules. Although they can get a bit darker and thick sounding at the same module gain settings. I normally keep gain on the SL2 ch.B about 3 o'clock.
 
hotlicks2go":1hczz1ix said:
Another great alternative preamp tube IMO are hand selected (High Gain) JJ 12AX7's. Get them from eurotubes.com. They have great sustain, gain and offer more low end and detail. Just a fuller sound. Chinese sound good with a ton of gain but can also be a bit thinner sounding. or Tung-sol's for over the top Crunch, high gain, fullness but still don't sustain as the JJ's. I've gone through many and always end up back to the high gain JJ's. They usually read about 114/115mv and have to be individually tested and pulled from stock. I use them in most high gain modules. Although they can get a bit darker and thick sounding at the same module gain settings. I normally keep gain on the SL2 ch.B about 3 o'clock.
Click to expand...

I have JJs in my EG5 and Im surprised that I actually really like them in there. I hated those tubes in SLO-100 but they either sound really awesome in EG5 or its relative because I used to have EH and those were terrible!

Either way, Im pretty happy with JJs in the EG5.
 
Did you use standard stock JJ's ? They sound fine but the "High Gain" JJ's are unbelievable.
 
The JJ 12AX7/ECC83s sound pretty good in the V1 of the EG5 definitely tames the highs but I cannot wait the fire the EG5 up with the SV6550c Big Bottles in my MOD 50 this week!!!!!
 
hotlicks2go":2vvpvcm2 said:
Did you use standard stock JJ's ? They sound fine but the "High Gain" JJ's are unbelievable.
Click to expand...

Im pretty sure just regular JJs. Ill checkout the high gain versions. Thanks for the tip.
 
Yeah, there's a big differance! You won't be dissappointed. I get mine through eurotubes.com, great guys, very helpful.
 
I'm trying to find a british place that does the high gain JJ's!

But are JJ's just rebranded Shuguangs?
 
No, they are thier own entity.
Also just pulled out a pair of NOS RCA 7025's and 12AX7's and plugged them into the SL2... Now that's a treat! :rock:
 
Right, others put their name on them. GT's and Ruby's put their name ona Chinese as well.
 
Well I'm gonna have to buy 4-5 JJ tubes now :).

The TS's and Shuguang's have been awesome for me so far. But, this is intriguing too :).

Eric
 
I've just realised that i have high gain JJ's in my Erect! And i love the sound of it.

But my 'actual' Mod 50 still has sovteks in, as does my SL2. So i' going to try some Tung Sol 12ax7's to replace them!

Have people had good experiences with them?
 
I prefer the Tung Sols in lower gain and clean modules personally. I think they have a nice rich sweetness to them. I like them in the COD alot. For the SL2, nothing beats Shuguang Silver Dragon 12AX7Bs!!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top