12AX7 / 12AX7A / ECC83 / CV4004 / B759 / ECC803S
 |
What's the best sounding European-made 12AX7 of
all time in YOUR opinion? |
What's the best sounding USA/Canadian- made 12AX7 of all time in YOUR opinion? |
12AX7 AMPEREX HOLLAND 1950's (long plates) (sweet and very detailed sound, very articulate and dynamic with warm sparkly tonal balance, the best for vocal reproduction)12AX7 Amperex Holland long plates 1957 (left) and Bugle Boy 1963 (right) with standard plates sold out) 12AX7 Amperex Bugle Boy Holland 1950's
12AX7 PHILIPS MINIWATT HOLLAND IMPORT 1961 / VALVO HOLLAND 1962 (LARGE ROUND GETTER HALO. These sound very similiar to 12AX7 Amperex Bugle Boy Holland) Metronome CD3 SignatureECC83=12AX7 Philips Miniwatt Import Holland 1961 (best in stock) 1 Low Noise Kuhl-Tube pair $395) ECC83=12AX7 Philips Miniwatt Holland NOS 1961 same date codes large "O" getter halo cryo treated for 36 hrs (very similiar sound to Amperex Bugle Boy Holland) 1 tube) 2.05/2.24ma 1 tube) 2.14/2.26ma ECC83=12AX7 Philips Miniwatt Holland NOS 1961-1963 large "O" getter halo in white boxes (very similiar sound to Amperex Bugle Boy Holland) 1 Pair from 1961 $325) (1 tube partially smeared printing) 1.5/1.71ma (1 tube) 1.5/1.65ma 1 tube from 1963 $100) 1.25/1.55 mismatched triode sections 70-75%/100% Sonic Comments: "I received ECC83 PHILIPS MINIWATT, yesterday. Now, my tuner (MAGNUM DYNALAB MD108) sounds fantastic" "Panagiotis, Greece"
ECC83=12AX7 Valvo Holland Falcon Logo NOS 1962 listed below 3 Low Noise Pairs $350/pair) ECC83=12AX7 Valvo Holland with "Falcon" logo NOS large "O" getter halo 1962 (recommended) (similiar sound to Amperex Bugle Boy Holland) platinum single tube $175 12AX7 Valvo Holland with "Falcon" logo large "O" getter halo used/good in white boxes: (similiar to sound of BUGLE BOY) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) 1960 used/good, good to very good printing $80 each (2 have very low noise) 1) 1961 used/good $75 1 low noise) 1962 used/good $75 1 tube $95) ECC83 Philips Miniwatt used/good large "O" getter halo 1959 (161 series) 1 tube $115) ECC83 Philips Miniwatt used/very good large "O" getter halo 1959 (161 series) 1 tube $125) ECC83 Philips Miniwatt like new small "o" getter halo 1962 (163 series) (recommended)
12AX7 AMPEREX BUGLE BOY HOLLAND 1959-1962 / 7025 (LARGE ROUND GETTER HALO) Victoria Regal 2007 1 low noise tube $125) 12AX7 Amperex Bugle Boy Holland like new 1961 in white box - good printing 1 low noise tube $100) 12AX7 Amperex Bugle Boy Holland used/very good 1959 in white box - some printing12AX7 Amperex Bugle Boy Holland large "O" getter halo: 1) 1961 Bugle Boy used/60% stains on glass $30 1) 12AX7 Amperex Holland branded Fisher used/65-70% large "0" getter halo 1961-1962 $50 Click here to see 7025 Bugle Boy Holland 1960-1961 (reference picture only)
12AX7 AMPEREX BUGLE BOY HOLLAND 1962-1968 (SMALL ROUND GETTER HALO, excellent sounding 12AX7, lively upper midrange) - ART MPA Gold 2 Channel Microphone Preamp - Torres Engineering Boogie Mite - Swart Amps Atomic Space Tone Click here to see ECC83=12AX7 Amperex Bugle Boy Holland 1963 (on right) 12AX7 Amperex Bugle Boy Holland: ------------------------------- 1 low noise tube $175) 12AX7 Amperex Bugle Boy Holland NOS 1963 in white box - very good printing
12AX7 AMPEREX HOLLAND "ORANGE GLOBE LOGO" 1966-1970
1) 12AX7A Amperex Holland "Orange Globe Logo" used 1967 $15 (1) section 50% (1) section 75%
12AX7 PHILIPS MINIWATT / AMPEREX / VALVO HOLLAND (SMALL ROUND GETTER HALO, lively and punchy sound, good bass, great upper midrange) 1960's: ------ 3 Low Noise Pairs $275/pair) ECC83=12AX7A Amperex GLOBE LOGO Holland with GREEN printing 1968 in white boxes 3 Low Noise Pairs $350/pair) ECC83=12AX7 Valvo Holland with "Falcon" logo NOS large "O" getter halo 1962 Click here to see ECC83=12AX7 Valvo Holland Falcon Logo NOS 1962 2 Low Noise tubes $130 each) ECC83=12AX7 Amperex GLOBE LOGO Holland with ORANGE printing 1969 in white boxes 1970's: ------ 3 Low Noise Platinum Pairs $225/pair) 7025 Amperex Holland orange globe logo NOS 1970-1971 in original boxes, nice in preamps (recommended first) (1 Kuhl-Tube cryo treated pair $250) 4 low noise pairs $180/pair) 12AX7 Philips Holland NOS 1971 same date codes original boxes, dimpled disc getter halo (recommended 2nd) in original boxes 2 Low Noise tubes $95 each) ECC83=12AX7 Amperex GLOBE LOGO Holland with ORANGE printing 1970 in white boxes, dimpled disc getter halo 2 tubes $85 each) 12AX7 Amperex Holland NOS 1972 rebranded Siemens in Siemens boxes, a few tubes have slightly smeared printing (recommended) (nice lively, open dynamic sounding 12AX7) 1 low noise tube $95) 12AX7A Amperex Holland NOS 1971 original boxes, orange printing (recommended) 1 low noise tube $75) 12AX7 Amperex Holland used/like new branded SILVERTONE 1967 very good printing (good value) 1 low noise tube $75) 12AX7 Amperex Globe Logo Holland used/like new 1967 very good orange printing
12AX7 / CV4004 BRIMAR ENGLAND (Brimar tubes are excellent in the phono section. They are very balanced from top to bottom and have low noise and microphonics)
CV4004=12AX7 Brimar 1962 * LOW NOISE BRIMAR CV4004 KUHL-TUBE 1959 in stock end of August 1 low noise tube $75) 7025A Brimar ribbed plates branded RCA used/like new, very good printing 1962 (recommended) Low Noise) CV4004=12AX7 Brimar NOS original Valve Electronic boxes, large "O" getter halo and small CV4004 printing 1961 (very good in phono stages) 1 platinum tube $110) 1.80/1.82ma best single 1 tube $85) 1.6/2.1ma mis-matched sections 1 tube $75) 1.5/1.8ma 1 low noise tube $80) CV4004=12AX7 Brimar NOS in Brimar box mis-matched sections 1965 (1.65/1.99ma)
12AX7 Brimar England NOS 1960's listed below 3 Low Noise Pairs $200/pair) 12AX7 Brimar ribbed plates NOS 1960's in white boxes (smooth and quiet 12AX7, recommended) single tube $95 2 Low Noise pairs $175/pair) CV4004=12AX7 Brimar NOS tall narrow plates original boxes 1975-1976 (balanced sound - nice in preamps and phono stages) SONIC COMMENTS: -------------- "Brendan, you nailed it with this recommendation for my bellari vp129 phono stage. No tube previously tried was even in the same ball park. Better than I hoped for. thanks, Blake"
CV4035 BRIMAR=12AX7 Type CV4035 made by STC/Brimar of England. Internally, they are identical to the Brimar CV4004=12AX7/ECC83, normal size and shape, but they don't have any pins! Instead, they have nine wire leads. I have read an old spec sheet on these and the story is that they thought these valves were so reliable that they would NEVER need replacing. CV4035=12AX7 Brimar NOS (flying leads you solder into circuit, tubes do NOT have pins) 1960's 1 tube $40) 1962 partially faded top getter 25) CV4069=12AU7 Brimar "Black Plates" 1969 NOS (flying leads) $40 Click here to see CV4035 and CV4069 BRIMAR FLYING LEADS NOS
BRIMAR SPECIAL QUALITY TUBES
The limiting factor in performance and reliability of valves (tubes)
lies in the tube pins and socket rather than in the tube itself.
Features of Brimar Flying Lead Special Quality Tubes:
* Ruggedised construction: Improved design of micas to eliminate
electrode movement, with control of mica and internal bulb dimensions
to precision limits. This eliminates rattle noise and microphony,
at the same time obviating cathode poisoning by gas evolution
resulting from frictional movement between mica and glass
* Redesign of grid profiles to control resonances arising from
vibration and shock
* Improved metal piece-parts giving greater mechanical rigidity
* Redesign of connecting links and stem wires to reduce the possibility
of failure
* Specially processed tungsten and advanced methods of heater coating
to give a greatly improved heater life
* Long life (10,000+ hours)
* The Low Cathode interface impedance feature of Brimar Long-Life valves
is of considerable importance in many applications. In use, valves
build up a resistive layer between the metallic cathode and its emissive
coating. As this resistive layer appears in the cathode circuit, it
results in a negative feedback condition giving the valve a reduced
performance figure due to the loss of slope. The growth of this
interface impedance is more likely to occur where valves are used with
very low cathode current or in cut-off condition for long periods.
This also applies where valves are required to give high pulse current
after a long period of low current operation. To overcome this problem
Brimar Long-Life valve types incorporate new cathode alloys which, as
well as giving increased strength at working temperatures, virtually
eliminate cathode interface growth
12AX7 CBS USA
(rare 12AX7)
SOLD OUT
12AX7 Ediswan England (by BRIMAR)12AX7 Ediswan by Brimar England 1960's SOLD OUT, buy the Brimar 12AX7 ribbed plates 1960's instead
12AX7 FIVRE MILANO ITALY12AX7 FIVRE MILANO ITALY 12AX7 Fivre Italy NOS around 1960 in white boxes, each tube has 1 weaker triode section: 2 tubes $30 each) 1 section 50% 1 section 85% 1 tube $45) 1 section 65%, 1 section 80%
12AX7 / 7025 GE "RIBBED PLATES" 1954-1963 (1950's - early 1960's GE 12AX7 with long gray ribbed plates have a warm musical presence, are balanced and sweet)12AX7 GE ribbed plates 1963 and pinched plates late 1960's 12AX7 GE ribbed plates 1950's - 1960: ------------------------------------ 1 low noise tube $100) JG-12AX7 GE tall ribbed plates NOS "U" getter 1956 original box (recommended) 1 low noise tube $100) 12AX7 GE ribbed plates NOS "U" getter 1954 original box (oldest US made 12AX7 in stock) 1 low noise tube $79) 12AX7 GE ribbed plates NOS "U" getter 1954 original box 1 section 100% 1 section 65-70% (oldest US made 12AX7 in stock) 1) 12AX7 GE ribbed plates NOS "U" getter 1956 $25 (1 section 55%) (1 section 70%) 12AX7 GE ribbed plates 1950's "U" getter: (1) used/tests 65-70% 1958 $30 (1) used/tests 55% and 80%, flake inside tube 1953 $12 (1) used/tests 55% and 65% 1958 $12 (1) used/tests 55% and 65% 1950's no printing $12 12AX7 or 7025 GE ribbed plates 1960-1965: ---------------------------------------- 1 Platinum Low Noise tube $110) 7025 GE ribbed plates NOS orange printing branded Philco 1963 original box triode sections within 2-3% (sweet sound, superb 7025) 1 Platinum Pair $145) 12AX7 GE talled ribbed plates NOS 1963, same date codes - original boxes (recommended, BEST PAIR) 1 tube) 1.77/1.87ma 1 tube) 1.86/1.86ma 1) 7025 GE ribbed plates branded "M" used/tests good "U" getter halo 1960 $35 12AX7 GE ribbed plates NOS: (1) 1963 60-65% red printing $25 12AX7 GE ribbed plates used/good: -------------------------------- 1) 75-85% very good 1961 $45 1) 60% 1963 $12 1) 65-70% 1963 $20 1) 75% 6681 GE Communications $25 (recommended)
12AX7 / 12AX7A / 12AX7WA GE 1965-1982
(Also see 5751, 5751 is a direct pin replacement for 12AX7/A, but mu is reduced from 100 to 70)
12AX7 pinched plates 1960's:
---------------------------
1 low noise pair $110) 12AX7 GE NOS Tektronix Checked stickers on glass in Tektronix boxes 1960's
4 low noise pairs $110/pair) 12AX7 GE NOS 1960's (RECOMMENDED, single tubes $50)
1) 6681=12AX7 GE USA in GE Canada boxes NOS $45
1) 12AX7 GE like new smeared white printing 1960's $25
1) 12AX7 GE used/like new no printing 1960's $25
1) 6681=12AX7 GE Canada NOS 1960's, plates similiar shape to 12AX7 Mullard $45
12AX7A or 7025 pinched plates 1960's - 1970's:
---------------------------------------------
1) 7025 GE branded Realistic Lifetime NOS 1970's $45 (high emission)
4) 12AX7A GE NOS 1960's-1970's $50 ($110/pair, recommended)
2) 12AX7A GE NOS 65-75% 1970's $20
12AX7WA GE 1960's - 1980's:
--------------------------
10) 1980's $45 each or ($100/matched pair)
1) 12AX7WA GE NOS white printing NOS original boxes 1960's $60
1) 12AX7WA=7025 GE JAN NOS tests 60-65% 1978 $12
B759=12AX7 GENALEX GOLD LION ENGLAND Nagra PL-PB759=12AT7 Genalex Gold Lion NOS around 1960
0) B759=12AX7 Genalex Gold Lion
12AX7 JAPAN
(Mullard tooling)
1 Low Noise tube $40) 12AX7 JAPAN NOS branded RCA Great Britain ribbed plates same as 12AX7 Mullard 1970's
12AX7 MARCONI RADIOTRON CANADA 1950's - 1960's12AX7 and 7025A Marconi Radiotron 1950's - 1960 1) 12AX7 Marconi Radiotron Canada used/good with tall Black Plates "O" getter halo, copper grid posts, good printing in white box 1950's $45
12AX7 MINIWATT AUSTRALIA / SUPER RADIOTRON AUSTRALIA
(12AX7 Mullard type made in Australia)
Sonic Comments: I tried this tube out in a 1966 Vibrolux Reverb. Very nice, a very good deal for the money.
Very Mullard-like: well balanced, neutral, a little compressed sounding, but not in an unpleasant way)
12AX7 MULLARD "LONG RIBBED PLATES" 1955-1959 (the long plate Mullards are one of the best sounding 12AX7 ever made; very sweet, great mids) (excellent for vocals, rich and harmonically textured) Victoria
ECC83=12AX7 Mullard "long plates" "D" getter halo (mc1-B5E=1955)
ECC83=12AX7 Mullard "long plates" 1957 (left) 1958 (middle) 1959 (right)
ECC83=12AX7 "long plates" 1950's Holland branded Mullard (left) 1955-1957 Mullard "D" getter halo (5 on right) 12AX7 Mullard "long plates" with "SQUARE" getter halo + copper grid posts 1955-1957: ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- sold out 12AX7 Mullard "long plates" with "ROUND" getter halo + copper grid posts 1958-1959: ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12AX7 Mullard branded "EICO" used 60-65% output, (f92-B8L=1958) good printing, copper grid posts 1 tube $105) "o" getter halo
12AX7 MULLARD "SHORT RIBBED PLATES" 1959-1960
12AX7=ECC83 MULLARD "RIBBED PLATES" NOS 1960's (12AX7 Mullard 1960's vintage have great midrange tone and bass, an excellent 12AX7) Marshall 1959HW Plexi Diezel Herbert head Trace Elliot C30 Mesa Boogie Triaxis 2 preamp Goodsell Super 17 M.K. 2 head Jolida CD player Landgraff Custom 50W (most have 163 date codes)ECC83=12AX7 Mullard branded Philips NOS 1968 listed below
2 low noise tubes) ECC83=12AX7 Mullard NOS ribbed plates branded "ECC83 Philips" original boxes same date codes - (163-B8A5=1968) (best Mullard ribbed plates in stock, very sweet in Mac preamp) 1 tube $135) 1.67/2.05ma smeared printing 1 tube $110) 1.88/2.66ma some printing, mismatched sections 1 low noise pair $325) 12AX7 Mullard NOS ribbed plates branded "ECC83 RTC" (163-B4J2=1964) same date codes in Miniwatt Dario boxes (recommended, superb, musical 12AX7) BEST MULLARD 1 tube) 1.70/1.94 1 tube) 1.78/2.0ma 1 low noise tube $160) ECC83=12AX7 Mullard Shield logo NOS original box 161 Series 1962 copper grid posts, excellent condition (best single NOS) SONIC COMMENTS: -------------- "About a month ago I purchased a NOS Mullard and Brimar 12AX7's which are absolutely fabulous. You had tipped me off to your stock of NOS "Mazda" labeled Brimar 12AX7's. Since you recommended them if I liked the Brimars, I am interested in purchasing a couple in just a few days here. Do you still have some? I had to tell you that since I have gotten the Siemen EL34's and Mullard 12AX7 in V1 and Brimar in V2 of my Marshall as you recommended, the performance sound and feel of the amp have become simply amazing. On that note, I wish to by all of my future tubes through you. Thank you very much, Robert"
12AX7 MULLARD LOW HOURS or USED/TESTED 1960's (12AX7 Mullard with yellow printing appeared from around 1962-1965, all other 1950's - 1970's Mullard had white printing)12AX7 and CV4004 Mullard 1956-1981 12AX7 Mullard used/good or test like new 1960-1967: --------------------------------------------------- 1) 1961 Eico Mullard like new good printing, copper grid posts $110 1) 1961 Mullard used/good, good printing, some stains on glass $70 (161 series) 1.95/2.2ma 1) 1962-1963 7025 Webcor Mullard like new good printing, copper grid posts $110 1) 1962 7025 Mullard shield logo like new good printing, copper grid posts $125 1) 1966 Mullard "10M SERIES" used/tests like new, good printing, some staining on glass $110 1) 1967 7025A/12AX7A Philips Mullard used/tests like new, very good printing, some stains on glass $70 1) 1967 IEC Mullard used/tests like new, good printing, some staining on glass $70
12AX7=ECC83 MULLARD "RIBBED PLATES" 1970's (12AX7=very detailed bass, musical mids and smooth top end, the older the better) McIntosh Prima Luna
CV4004=M8137 MULLARD BOX PLATES 1950's - 1960's (Jolida 1000 CD player, EAR 834P, EAR 864, Aestetix phono, Art Audio phono)
CV4004=M8137 MULLARD BOX PLATES 1970's - 1981 (CV4004=balanced and smooth sounding with excellent midrange, recommended) EAR 834P EAR 864 Aestetix Rhea phono Aestetix Calypso, Io phono Art Audio phono ARC linestageCV4004=12AX7 Mullard 1981 6 pairs $285/pair) CV4004=12AX7 Mullard "Box Plates", small round getter ring, in original wrapping only from bulk pack of 100, all dated 1981, matched within 5-10% 2 Platinum Pairs $320/pair) CV4004=12AX7 Mullard "Box Plates" 1981 in original wrapping matched within 1-5% 2 Platinum single tubes $160 each) CV4004=12AX7 Mullard "Box Plates" 1981 in original wrapping triode sections matched within 1-5%
CV4004 Mullard rebranded 6057 Brimar 2 low noise tubes) CV4004 Mullard branded "6057 BRIMAR BVA England" NOS "Box Plates" 1981 in Brimar boxes (recommended) 1 platinum tube $135) 2.05/2.10ma 1 platinum tube $135) 1.69/1.77ma Customer Comments on the CV4004 Mullards: ------------------------------------------- "The 1981 Mullard CV4004s you supplied last week sound fantastic. A quantum improvement over the Chinese Gold Aeros that they replaced in my Cal Alpha DAC. The Mullards seemed to take about 20 hours to do most of their break-in, but they sounded better than the old tubes from the first moment and may still be getting more effortless and yet more detailed in their sound after 30 hours. The upper treble is super-sweet -- reminds me of silver vs. copper cabling. Those 4004s seemed terribly expensive to me, but seemingly worth it, especially if they outlast me, as I hope they will. Many thanks for steering me in that direction in the baby-blue quadrants at the top of the 12AX7 page." "I can now understand why there is so much hoo-haa about NOS valves! In my EAR 834P phono stage, The NOS Mullard CV4004 box plates are simply sensational. They leave the stock Chelmer 12AX7’s for dead, and elevate the musicality of an already musical phono stage to unbelievable levels. This is achieved via much increased warmth, weight, air and space. The midrange, particularly on female vocals is “to die for”. And they haven’t even burned in properly. Also, Brendan’s level of service is lightning fast, and the quality of his products, judging by the music I am hearing, is second to none. This has been a real ear-opener, and money very well spent. Thank you! Richard, Australia"
12AX7WA=7025 PHILIPS USA
(late production Sylvania)
Low Noise Pairs $69/pair) 12AX7WA=7025 Philips JAN USA NOS 1986-1987 blue printing
12AX7 RAYTHEON USA BLACK AND GRAY PLATES SONIC COMMENTS in EAR 834P phono pre: ------------------------------------ It’s a funny thing about the 12AX7’s. The preamp stock tubes were Chinese. They are specially picked by the the manufacturer for low-noise and are even labeled “Eastern Electric” on the tubes. They actually sounded good to me and I originally wondered if I even needed NOS. Upon installing the new 12AX7 Raytheon black plates I was immediatally struck by the improvements. The sound suddenly became more dynamic and three dimensional. It occurred to me that with the stock tubes the sound was like a flat picture with washed out colors. With the NOS tubes the picture was much more vivid and lifelike. But I only noticed how inferior the Chinese tubes were when I installed the NOS tubes. It makes me wonder how many people are listening to their tubed equipment, never knowing how much better it could sound. 12AX7 RAYTHEON BLACK PLATES 1962: -------------------------------- 6 low noise pairs $275/pair) JRP-12AX7 Raytheon tall-ribbed "Black Plates" NOS original boxes 1962, orange printing, "o" getter halo, same date codes, single tubes $110 each (best sounding US made 12AX7 in stock now, highly recommended pairs) 2 Platinum Pairs $295/pair) 1-5% matching (best pairs) - Bad Cat 'Custom Shop' Cub II R 1 x 12 Combo Tube Amplifier - THOR phono stage - Rogue Cronus - FenderJRP-12AX7 Raytheon black plates NOS 1962 listed above 12AX7 Raytheon black plates SQUARE getter halo 1950's: ------------------------------ 1 Low Noise tube $95) 12AX7 Raytheon black ribbed plates NOS round getter halo in white boxes early 1960's (recommended) 12AX7 RAYTHEON GRAY PLATES: -------------------------- 2 low noise pairs $200/pair) US Army-12AX7 Raytheon gray ribbed plates NOS 1954 original boxes (recommended and oldest 12AX7's in stock) 1) 12AX7 Raytheon NOS gray ribbed plates, fair printing, in white box around 1960 $75
7025 RCA BLACK PLATES 1950's / GRAY PLATES 1960's - 1970's (very dynamic, rich, silky and sparkly sounding with a tight bottom end and clear-warm top-end, these are the BEST 7025) (low noise, low microphonics, also see 5751 RCA for substitute. These are superb as input tubes in guitar amps) Vincent CD-S6 CD Player7025 RCA Black Long Plates 1950's, Gray Short Plates 1960's 7025 RCA 1950's: --------------- sold out) 7025 RCA tall Black Plates NOS with "D" getter halo spot welded to plate post, mid-1950's sold out) 7025 RCA tall Gray Plates NOS with "D" getter halo spot welded to plate post, mid-1950's 2) 7025 RCA Black Plates NOS with "D" getter halo spot welded to plate post, mid-1950's in original box mis-matched triode sections $50 each (1 triode section 90%, 1 triode section 50%) 7025 RCA 1960's - 1970's: (highly recommended, low noise, open, clear, sweet and smooth) ------------------------ 1 low noise tube $150) 7025 RCA CLEAR TOP branded "SONOTONE" gray ribbed plates NOS original box 1960 (recommended) 1 low noise tube $145) 7025 RCA gray ribbed plates NOS original box 1960's (recommended) 1 Low Noise tube $75) 7025 RCA gray ribbed plates NOS original box 1960's (1 section 70-75%) (1 section 90%) 2 Low Noise tubes $60 each) 7025 RCA gray ribbed plates NOS original box 1960's (1 section 60%) (1 section 90-100%) 7025 RCA NOS 1970's original boxes: (recommended) ------------------------------------------------- sold out
12AX7 RCA USA BLACK PLATES "D" GETTER 1950's (super 12AX7, outstanding upper midrange)12AX7 RCA Black Plates 1951 and 1956 12AX7 RCA Black Plates used/like new: all dated 1958 with same date codes ------------------------------------ 1 platinum low noise tube $145) 12AX7 RCA Black Plates square getter halo like new D getter halo 1958 in white box 1-2% sections (1.65/1.67ma) 1 low noise pair $200) 12AX7 RCA Black Plates square getter halo like new 90-100% output D getter halo 1958 in white boxes 5% matching 2 low noise pairs $189/pair) 12AX7 RCA Black Plates square getter halo like new 90-100% output D getter halo 1958 in white boxes 5-10% matching 1 low noise tube $95) 12AX7 RCA Black Plates square getter halo used/like new 85%+ D getter halo 1958 12AX7 RCA Black Plates used: all dated 1958 with same date codes --------------------------- 2 low noise pairs $160/pair) 12AX7 RCA Black Plates square getter halo used/good 75%+ D getter halo 1958 1 low noise tube $75) 12AX7 RCA Black Plates square getter halo used/good 70-75% D getter halo 1958
12AX7 RCA USA GRAY PLATES "D" GETTER LATE-1950's
1 Low Noise tube $150) 12AX7 RCA Gray Plates NOS "D" getter halo original box early 1950's
12AX7 / 12AX7A RCA USA GRAY PLATES (nice detail with a smooth and sweet sound, best sounding US made 12AX7 are RCA and Tungsol) Fender Princeton Reverb VOX AC15 Fender '64 Vibroverb SUPRO model # 1616T Conrad Johnson MV60SE12AX7 RCA Gray Plates 1960's, 1970's red print, 12AX7A/7025 RCA Canada 1970's white print 12AX7A RCA USA NOS: ------------------ PAIRS: ----- 1 low noise pair $150) 12AX7A RCA NOS 1 tube) RCA branded DUMONT in DUMONT box 1971 1 tube) RCA 1960's SINGLE TUBES: ------------ 1 Low Noise tube $70) 12AX7A RCA made for "SEEBURG" NOS in SEEBURG box 1971 (recommended) 1 Low Noise tube $70) 12AX7A RCA NOS 1960's 1 Low Noise tube $70) 12AX7A RCA NOS 1960's higher output Gm 1) 12AX7A RCA NOS 65% original box 1960's $30 1) 12AX7A RCA NOS 1 section 65% 1 section 95% $40 1) 12AX7A RCA NOS $12 (1 section 50%) (1 section 65%) 12AX7A RCA CANADA NOS: --------------------- 1 Low Noise tube $50) 12AX7A/7025A RCA Canada TALL gray ribbed plates NOS/75% around 1960 "D" getter halo 12AX7A RCA USA used/test like new and used/good: ----------------------------------------------- 1) tests like new. white printing 1960's $50 1) tests like new, slightly tilted bottom mica 1970's $45 (good value) 1) used/good 80% $30 1) used/70-75% $25 1) used/60-65% $15 12AX7A RCA CANADA used: ----------------------- 1) 12AX7A RCA Canada like new $35
12AX7=ECC83 / E83CC SIEMENS WEST GERMANY (E83CC=clear-transparent, detailed, lots of inner-resolution, extended high-end) (E83CC=Special Quality 10,000+ hour 12AX7, very low noise, highly recommended for phone stages) Click here to see E83CC=12AX7 Siemens West Germany Low NoiseE83CC=12AX7 Siemens Special Quality NOS 1969-1972 listed below 12AX7=ECC83 Siemens West Germany "Long Ribbed Plates": ----------------------------------------------------- 1 low noise) ECC83 Siemens "long plates" used/tests 52% 1959 $30 12AX7=ECC83 Siemens West Germany "Standard Ribbed Plates": --------------------------------------------------------- Kuhl-Tube cryo treated) ECC83=12AX7 Siemens Halske 1966-1967 NOS in white boxes, most have poor printing, 2 support bars holding up 1 round getter halo, 163 Series (airy highs, high resolution, low noise floor) 1 platinum pair $395) 2.05/2.0ma and 2.15/2.17ma (best pair) 1967 same date codes (best pair) 1 platium tube $175) 2.73/2.77ma 1% sections poor printing 1967 1 platium tube $175) 2.3/2.4ma 1% fair printing 1967 1 tube $160) 2.33/2.56ma little or no printing 1967 1 tube $150) 2.54/3.0ma little or no printing 1967 1 tube $150) 1.89/2.09ma little or no printing 1967 1 tube $150) 2.05/2.49ma fair printing 1967 SINGLE TUBES: ------------ 1 low noise kuhl-tube $200) 12AX7 Siemens Halske NOS rebranded Telefunken in white box 1963, 162 Series, close sections, cryo treated (recommended) 1 low noise tube $125) 12AX7 Siemens Halske NOS rebranded RCA in white box 1967 (recommended) 1 low noise tube $115) 12AX7 Siemens NOS branded IEC Mullard in white box 1971 (recommended) 1 low noise tube $60) ECC83=12AX7 Siemens Halske NOS 65-70% rebranded "ECC83 MULLARD" triple mica around 1970 E283CC SIEMENS: rare 12AX7 substitute with different pinout -------------- 20) E283CC Siemens Germany NOS 1970's some branded Philips SQ 1960's $125 (DIFFERENT PINOUT than a 12AX7, but is electrically equivalent to a 12AX7) (6.3V parallel filaments) (Frame Grids like ECC803S Telefunken, 10,000+ hr Special Quality 12AX7) Click here to see E283CC Siemens Germany
12AX7 SYLVANIA GRAY and BLACK PLATES 1950's - 1960
12AX7 Sylvania BLACK PLATES:
---------------------------
1 low noise tube $95) 12AX7 Sylvania NOS black PINCHED plates branded (like 5751) branded "ZENITH" square getter halo 1955 in original box (recommended)
(red printing, copper grid posts)
12AX7 Sylvania GRAY PLATES:
--------------------------
4 low noise tubes $75 each or $150/pr) 12AX7 Sylvania NOS rebranded RCA with white printing - gray pinched plates, super large "D" getter 1957
in white boxes, high emission
"The Sylvania 12AX7 gray plates 1950's are "out of this world"!!!!!!! Thanks again."
12AX7 / 12AX7A / 7025 SYLVANIA GRAY PLATES 1950's - 1970's
7025: low noise and hum
----
5 low noise tubes $120 each or $250/pair) 7025 Sylvania NOS 1967 (highly recommended, high emission, low noise) <-----------
12AX7 / 12AX7A:
--------------
1950's:
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1) 12AX7 Sylvania NOS gray plates square getter halo high emission 1950's $65
1) 12AX7 Sylvania NOS gray plates square getter halo high emission around 1960 $55
1) JHS-12AX7 Sylvania "Gray Plates" NOS square getter halo in original box 1959 $65
2) 12AX7 Sylvania "Gray Plates" NOS square getter halo 1958, 1959 $65
1960's - 1970's:
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0) 12AX7A Sylvania NOS 1970's $0/pair, nice clean open 12AX7A with high Mu
1) USAF-12AX7 Sylvania NOS $50
1) 12AX7 Sylvania NOS early 1960's $50
12AX7WA=7025 SYLVANIA USA 1960 - 1970's12AX7WA Sylvania 1967-1974 listed below Low Noise Pairs $90/pair) 12AX7WA Sylvania JAN NOS original boxes 1970's (recommended, open-clean-crisp, high gain) single tubes $45 1 tube $60) JHS-12AX7WA Sylvania JAN NOS 1966 (recommended) 0) 12AX7WA Sylvania used/test good 1960's
ECC803S=12AX7 TELEFUNKEN WEST GERMANY (Special Quality 50,000+ hour 12AX7, arguably the best 12AX7 ever made, very low noise and superb inner resolution; this is the Holy Grail for 12AX7's)803S Telefunken NOS 1950's (reference picture) 0 sealed tubes from 1950's) ECC803S=12AX7 Telefunken Diamond Bottom NOS Gold Pins sealed in original boxes 1950's vintage ECC803S Telefunken NOS (reference pictures only shown below)
 ECC803 Telefunken |
 ECC803S Telefunken |
 ECC803S Telefunken |
12AX7 TELEFUNKEN SMOOTH PLATES Nagra PL-L preamp VTL 7.5 preamp MFA preamp Conrad Johnson Premier 15 phono preamp Pilot SP-210 preamp Jadis preamp Aesthetix Rhea, Io, Calypso George Wright phono THD Plexi-50 MXL V69 Mogami Edition12AX7 Telefunken Smooth Plate NOS from bulk pack sold out) ECC83 Telefunken Diamond Bottom West Germany smooth plates NOS in white boxes
12AX7/ECC83 Telefunken Diamond Bottom Smooth Plates used/tested:
(the smooth plate 12AX7 has a more balanced sound than a rib plate and great
upper midrange with good high-end detail and extension)
Sonic Comments in Aesthetix Calypso:
-----------------------------------
Tubes work just fine!!!! Listened to Dave Matthews with the old tubes
and then popped in the Tele's and as they warmed up.....boy....what a
nice difference. I heard a more smoothed and refined voicing...
After that put on Tori Amos' Scarlet walk and the Tele's really started
to shine!!! Highs were crystal clear, mids and piano were snappy and
Amos' voice was just "right there". Thanks, Steve
Perfect Printing = almost 100% printing on tube
Good Printing = 75%+ of printing on tube
Fair Printing = 50%+ of printing on tube
Poor Printing = less than 50% printing on tube or no printing
12AX7 Telefunken Smooth Plates 1960's, right tube is "selected"
MATCHED PAIRS:
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12AX7 Telefunken Diamond Smooth Plates used/test like new and used/test good (RECOMMENDED - best value) (85-100% emission)
(little or no printing on each tube) in white boxes
1 platinum pair $275)
1 tube) like new no printing 2.31/2.37ma
1 tube) NOS good printing 2.15/2.4ma
1 platinum pair $199) 1-5% matching, no printing (recommended)
1 tube) 1.96/2.05ma
1 tube) 1.9/2.1ma
1 pair $160) 1.87/2.35ma and 1.82/2.37ma no printing
SINGLE TUBES:
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1 tube $100) used/like new branded GAP/R Computor 2.46/2.60ma (best single)
1 tube $85) used/like new some stains on glass no printing 3.0/3.3ma
1 tube $80) used/good branded FISHER fair printing 1.80/1.87ma
1 tube $75) used/good very good printing 65%/95% sections 1.58/2.0ma
1 tube $75) used/good "selected tube" label on glass 70-75% 1.8/1.9ma
1 tube $60) used/good "selected tube" label on glass 65%/75% 1.7/2.02ma
12AX7 TELEFUNKEN RIBBED PLATES (excellent preamp tube, nice resolution, balanced, quiet, articulate, not warm and fuzzy)12AX7=ECC83 Telefunken ribbed plates, 2 branded Fisher, 1 has "Italiana" sticker on glass 12AX7=ECC83=Telefunken ribbed plates NOS: ---------------------------------------- 1 Platinum Pair $375/pr 1) 2.27/2.45ma in Hewlett Packard box 1) 2.26/2.40ma in white box 1 Platinum Pair $365/pr 1) 1.86/1.87ma in Tele box 1) 1.73/1.86ma in Tele box - smeared printing SINGLE TUBES: ------------ 1 platinum tube $185) 2.2/2.3ma in Tele box 1957 (lc) (recommended) 1 low noise tube $180) 2.12/2.30ma in white box Click here to see ECC83 Telefunken NOS in "sealed" boxes (picture only)
12AX7/ECC83 Telefunken Diamond Bottom
Ribbed Plates used/tested:
Perfect Printing = almost 100% printing on tube
Good Printing = 75%+ of printing on tube
Fair Printing = 50%+ of printing on tube
Poor Printing = less than 50% printing on tube, smeared printing/no printing
12AX7 Telefunken ribbed plate MATCHED PAIRS:
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1 low noise pair $225) low hours/like new good printing (recommended)
1 tube) ECC83 Tele 1.86/2.0ma
1 tube) GAP/R Computor Tele 1.83/1.95ma
1 low noise pair $175) used/good with good printing
1 tube) 1.55/1.65ma branded FISHER
1 tube) 1.63/1.75ma branded TELE
1 low noise pair $160) used/good with some printing
1 tube) 1.55/1.85ma branded TELE
1 tube) 1.67/1.90ma branded TELE
1 low noise pair $160) used/good, some printing
1 tube) 1.68/1.82ma good FISHER printing
1 tube) 1.6/1.72ma little TELE printing
SINGLE TUBES:
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1 low noise tube $95) 2.3/2.67 some FISHER printing (recommended)
1 low noise tube $90) 1.63/1.80 very good printing (ze) 1961
1 low noise tube $70) 1.6/2.05 some Tele printing
1 low noise tube $75) 1.52/1.71 good FISHER printing
1 low noise tube $75) 1.9/2.28 some FISHER printing
1 tube $65) 1.53/1.85ma little TELE printing
1 tube $50) 1 section 70%, 1 section 95%
1 tube $20) both sections 50%
ECC803S=12AX7 Tesla Rožnov Gold Pins (NOS STOCK, very low noise, special quality version, rare) (XN date code = November 1989, 32=Prague?)some people think these are rebranded JJ, but I am not sure of this frankly, it doesn't matter as they are Czech made, test outstanding, and are very low noise 2 pairs $75/pair) ECC803S Tesla NOS Gold Pins with tall ribbed plates - copper grid posts - 1989 1 Super Platinum tube $45) 2.22/2.25ma 1% sections
12AX7 / 12AX7A / 7025 TUNGSOL USA
(one of the best US 12AX7 ever made, very dynamic and musical with superb
tonal balance, better overall than RCA)
1 low noise tube $175) 12AX7 Tungsol NOS "D" getter halo original box 1954 perfect printing in orange/blue Tungsol box (recommended, best single)
1 low noise tube $120) 12AX7 Tungsol branded "GAP/R COMPUTOR TUBE" NOS tall gray ribbed plates 1962 in white box 1.63/1.91ma
1 low noise tube $100) 12AX7 Tungsol branded "GAP/R COMPUTOR TUBE" tests like new - smeared printing - tall gray ribbed plates 1962 in white box 1.32/1.40ma
1 low noise tube $120) JAN-12AX7 Tungsol NOS 1964 smeared printing - original box
1 low noise tube $125) 12AX7 Tungsol NOS tall gray ribbed plates - perfect condition 1961
1) 12AX7 Tungsol used/tests 50% output, square getter halo 1950's $10 (sold as-is)
12AX7 TUNGSRAM HUNGARY
(these typically have very low noise and are under-rated 12AX7's, copper grid posts)
sold out
12AX7 VALVO, HAMBURG WEST GERMANY
12AX7 WESTINGHOUSE USA / CANADA
(recommended, very high quality 12AX7, best in stock for the money)
2 low noise tubes $65 each) 12AX7A/7025A Westinghouse Canada NOS built identical to 12AX7A RCA USA early 1960's (not a matched pair)
12AX7 Westinghouse "Black Plates" 1950's:
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1) 12AX7 Westinghouse Canada Black Plates NOS large "D" getter 1950's $100
1) JCK-12AX7 Westinghouse Canada Black Plates NOS large "D" getter 1950's $100
1) JCK-12AX7 Westinghouse Canada Black Plates NOS tests 60% "D" getter halo 1958 $35
1) 12AX7 Westinghouse Reliatron tall gray ribbed plates "D" getter like new 1953 very good printing $50
12AX7 USA BRANDS USED/TESTED
10) 12AX7 or 12AX7WA Sylvania, GE used/test good $20
12AX7 CHINESE / RUSSIAN / YUGOSLAVIA
1 low noise) ECC83 EI Yugo smooth plate Telefunken copy NOS 1978 $45 (recommended)
1) 7025A Yugo Smooth Plate branded International NOS $30
1) 7025A Chinese branded International NOS $15
1) 12AX7A GE Hungary NOS $15
1) 12AX7WXT+ Sovtek NOS 1990's $15