Are 12AX7 and 12ax7a interchangeable?

Since today you’ll pretty much never run into a series filament circuit and pretty much only will see parallel filament circuits, the difference between a 12ax7 and a 12ax7a is functionally meaningless and, as noted above, in current production tubes, you can’t count on their being any difference between a tube …

Are ECC83 tubes the same as 12AX7?

The ECC83 Valve – also known as the 12AX7. The 12AX7 Valve (or 12AX7 vacuum Tube) is a small preamplifier valve which is identical to the ECC83 – same valve, just a different name. It has two identical triodes both of which have a high voltage gain.

What tubes are interchangeable with 12AX7?

You can interchange a 12AX7 with 12AT7, 12AU7, 12AY7 or 5751 as they are all the same pin structure, however they will each give you a different result in your amp. Each of these tubes has a different gain factor, which means some will give higher gain and others lower gain.

What is the highest gain 12AX7 tube?

If you go with new production the JJ ECC83S(12ax7) is the highest gain out of all the new production pre amp tubes. I have actually found that Chinese Shuguangs, and Russian RI, Tung Sol, and RI Mullard tubes to have more gain than the JJ ECC83 which is actually a much darker sounding tube than most CP tubes.

How do I know when to change my tubes in my amp?

A: These are the most common signs that tubes need replacement:

1. Excessive noise (hiss, hum) including squealing or microphonic tubes.
2. Loss of high end.
3. A muddy bottom end; Sounds like there is too much bass and note clarity is lost.
4. Erratic changes in the overall volume.
5. The amp doesn’t work!

How long do 12AX7 tubes last?

Small signal tubes like a 12AX7 or 6922 will work well on average for about 10,000 hours. If you leave your equipment on 24 hours a day, well you do the math: There are 8,760 hours in a year.

How do I know when my tubes need replacing?

A: These are the most common signs that tubes need replacement:

• Excessive noise (hiss, hum) including squealing or microphonic tubes.
• Loss of high end.
• A muddy bottom end; Sounds like there is too much bass and note clarity is lost.
• Erratic changes in the overall volume.
• The amp doesn’t work!

Are preamp tubes interchangeable?

You should be able to swap preamp tubes of the same type without problem. For example, any 12AX7 should be compatible with another 12AX7. With power tubes, you can swap different brands of the same tube. Also, remember that in many amps, the power tubes are designed to work in pairs.

Which 12AX7 sounds best?

The most exclusive ECC83 12AX7 type is the Genalex Gold Lion ECC83. The Original Genalex Gold Lion ECC83/B759 tubes are considered among the best ECC83 / 12AX7 types ever made. . They exhibit a large detailed soundstage that is sought after by discerning audiophiles who demand the highest quality sound.

Is it bad to leave a tube amp on for a long time?

Don’t leave your tube amp on standby for too long, it can cause damage!

How often should preamp tubes be replaced?

You should replace them when they are dead. There is no set rule for how long they last, but in general, they last longer than power tubes. Maybe twice as long or better life expectancy for power tubes. They are also self-biasing of course, so don’t be afraid to change them yourself.

Is it bad to leave tube amp on?

Tubes deteriorate with use, so leaving a tube amp on shortens tube life. Many tubes produce a significant amount of heat. This heat can be drying and damaging to other parts of the amp. Tube amps can be hazardous when left on and unattended.

What kind of AMP is a 12AX7 tube?

RCA developed the 12AX7 tube in the 1940s for general purpose amplification. Today, 12AX7 is the most common preamp tube used in guitar and audio amp due to its high amplification factor (mu). We carry a large selection of 12AX7 tubes to help you get the right sonic from your gear.

Is the 12AX7 a high gain vacuum tube?

A 12AX7 is a high gain tube. Various 12AX7 s tends to be a few points higher or lower on the gain. Due to the nature of the vacuum tube circuit, this doesn’t mean one will be louder than the other.

Is the 12AX7 tube the same as the ECC83?

After all, the design is the same. The ECC83 on the other hand is the label that was applied to the tube type by European manufacturers yet it is the same tube. So if you ever find an ECC83, you can replace it with a 12AX7 and vice versa.

Are there any 12AX7 tubes in the US military?

Often RCA and GE made these for electronic organ manufacturers, and have the organ brand name on the label. These are usually specially selected tubes, and are a great buy—when available! Sometimes, 12AX7A tubes made for the US Military are labeled 12AX7WA, and I have seen WB and WC versions.